Development of Physical and Mathematical Models of Incinerators, Part I: Statement of the Problem

Combustion in an incinerator occurs in two dif­ ferentiated zones: (1) the solid bed, Zone I, where the principal processes are pyrolysis, gasification, and combustion, and (2) the overbed region, Zone II, where the principal processes are flame holding and final burnup. Equations are developed to relate com­ bustion intensity in each zone independently to the average combustion rate in each zone. This amplifies a previously developed equation relating the overall combustion intensity to the area firing rate and incin­ erator capacity . The basis for predicting limits to capacity and burning rate, by application of the thermal theory, is also outlined. This paper provides the basis for other papers in which additional ap­ proximate factors are developed for expanding the physical and mathematical model of an incinerator still further.