What is the Difference Between Mass Incineration and Water Wall Incineration of MSW?

Mass incineration and water wall incineration are two methods used for the disposal of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) through combustion. The main differences between these two methods are as follows:

• Combustion Process: In mass incineration, MSW is burned directly without pre-processing. The waste is typically delivered to the plant without sorting or separating. However, some plants may remove metals from the ash for recycling. In contrast, water wall incineration involves burning raw MSW directly in large water wall furnaces, generally without pre-processing the waste.
• Primary Product: The primary product of mass incineration is electricity, which is generated by converting the heat produced from the combustion of waste. In water wall incineration, the primary product is steam, which can be used directly or converted to electric power, hot water, or chilled water.
• Furnace Construction: Mass incineration plants often use stoker or fluidized bed type furnaces, while water wall incinerators use water wall furnaces for combustion. The water wall units in the combustion chamber help control corrosion, but recent advancements in incinerator design have led to the development of the Twin Interchanging Fluidized Bed Combustor, which is claimed to be capable of completely combusting wastes of low to high calorific values.
• Capacity: Mass burn plants are typically larger facilities, processing up to 3,000 tons of refuse per day or more. Water wall incinerators can have a smaller capacity, with waste size reduction and material recovery sometimes being part of the process.

In summary, mass incineration and water wall incineration are two methods of disposing of MSW through combustion, with the main differences lying in the combustion process, primary product, furnace construction, and capacity.

Comparative Table: Mass Incineration vs Water Wall Incineration of MSW

Mass incineration and water wall incineration are two methods used for the disposal of municipal solid waste (MSW) through combustion. Here is a table highlighting the differences between the two methods:

Both methods aim to dispose of MSW through combustion, but they differ in their primary products (electricity vs. steam) and combustion efficiencies. Water wall incineration is considered to be more efficient in delivering combustion air, resulting in higher temperatures and improved combustion efficiency.