Fluid-Bed Combustion of Solid Wastes

Solid waste disposal has traditionally been an economic cost to industry, institutions, and municipalities. Numerous disposal methods have been used with combustion, for purposes of volume reduction, i.e., incineration, an acceptable method in limited applications. The current energy picture in the United States has resulted in many industries, institutions, and municipalities taking a new view of solid wastes; in many instances they are now seen as energy sources. One combustion approach which has received wide interest as a means of converting solid wastes to energy is the use of the fluidized bed combustor (FBC). The fluidized bed reactor is a relatively new approach to the design of high heat release combustors. The primary functions of the air-fluidized inert bed material are to promote dispersion of incoming solid fuel particles, heat them rapidly to ignition temperature, and to promote sufficient residence time for their complete combustion within the reactor. Secondary functions