Numerical analysis of size reduction of municipal solid waste particles on the traveling grate of a waste-to-energy combustion chamber

The size reduction of municipal solid waste (MSW) particles on the reverse acting traveling grate of a waste-to-energy (WTE) combustion chamber was estimated by means of a numerical model combining the particle size distributions (PSD) of MSW and combustion residues and the Shrinking Core Model (SCM). This new integrated model was used to simulate the particle behavior on the grate. During their travel on the moving grate, the sizes of the particles are reduced by combustion, breakage, and compaction. This study shows the calculation of the particle size change using this model and comparison of the numerically derived PSDs of MSW and ash particles with experimental data. There is good agreement between calculated and measured values.