Considerations in the Construction of Large Refuse Incinerators

Mr. Nowak's paper finally puts European incinera­ tor practice in its proper perspective. It is interest­ ing to note that incineration is selected for the dis­ posal of refuse for the same reasons in his country that are usually used in our country. Perhaps the decision to generate steam from refuse in this country will follow thei r decision process. Mr. Nowak has pointed out that burning refuse in a steam generating boiler offers different operating concepts and some special operating problems not encountered in refractory furnace operation or in fos­ sil fuel fired boiler operation. While this is obvious to most engineers, it is imperative that policy level public officials recognize this if heat utilization is to meet with success in the U.S. It will be necessary to hire operating personnel who are capable of operating the more complex systems and then to develop a training program to maintain personnel efficiency. If budgetary deficiencies prevent the hiring of adequate operating staffs, the concept is again doomed to failure. While economic conditions under which steam is generated in Germany differ from those we experience here, it is readily apparent that the utilization of the heat content in refuse is one of the most realistic ways to use some of our wastes to help preserve our natural resources. To accomplish the resource-saving utilization of the refuse heat content, a level of boiler maintenance cost must be developed which can be accepted as a part of the cost for refuse disposal in a community. As is indicated in this paper, a lower boiler availa­ bility ("between 60 and 80 percent") must be recognized and adequate boiler capacity installed initially and maintained throughout the life of the facility. The stated fact that the sale of steam only reduces the operating cost of the facility and does not eliminate the cost for disposal must be