Thermal characterisation of a solid waste incinerator by temperature measurements with suction pyrometers

Abstract

Paper presented at the 5th International Conference on Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics, South Africa, 1-4 July, 2007.

According to the European Waste Directive 2000/76/CE, temperature of gaseous emissions in the postcombustion zone of an incinerator is one of the key parameters that has to be continuously measured and controlled. A bare thermocouple is generally affected by different physical contributes which make the gas temperature measurement incorrect. This paper analyzes the errors that can arise when using a bare thermocouple, describes principle design and uncertainty of a suction pyrometer and a method to characterize a waste incinerator. Results allow a correct thermal characterization of the plant permitting a better energy management.