Emerging Approaches for Waste-to-Energy: Potential of Innovative Technologies and Synergies

Thermal treatment of waste using grate-based systems has gained world-wide acceptance as the preferred method for sustainable management of residual waste. In order to maintain this position and respond to new challenges and/or priorities, it is necessary to develop and implement innovative technologies. In addition, synergies between different waste treatment processes and/or technologies and various waste streams must be determined.

An optimized multi-stage combustion process has been developed and implemented to significantly reduce the NOx values downstream of the combustion system via primary measures. Additionally, the Shock Pulse Generators and the MARTIN Online Cleaning System are successful fully automatic systems to clean the boiler radiation passes during operation.

Traditional data-processing application software is inadequate to deal with the complex data sets of Waste-to-Energy plants. Therefore, Big Data integration platforms provide a concise overview of data, extract value from data and review key parameters.

The combustion residues bottom ash and fly ash contain substantial amounts of raw materials (metals / minerals / phosphorus), which are finite resources. New technologies and processes for the recovery of these reusable materials on-site/off-site of Waste-to-Energy plants had been developed. Sewage sludge mono-combustion plants enable to use the sewage sludge as a source of phosphorus.

Separately collected organic waste requires different treatment processes. MARTIN dry digestion holds the potential for producing high-quality products such as biogas, compost and liquid fertilizer.

Implementing Waste-to-Energy and sewage sludge mono-combustion or dry digestion in the same location offers many potential possibilities for synergies. Various material and energy flows can be united in a meaningful way, which in turn results in additional benefits for these types of plants.

This paper describes the main progresses achieved and innovative technologies implemented in large-scale by MARTIN. Also, in the future all types of waste will be treated in accordance with ecological and economic constraints and in compliance with legal requirements.