COMPUTER-INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING THE COMBUSTION PROCESS OF SOLID HOUSEHOLD WASTE IN AN INDUSTRIAL FURNACE

Abstract

The issue of municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal remains critical in Ukraine, where over 10 million tons of waste are generated annually, with only 5–7 % recycled, leading to significant landfill accumulation. This poses environmental threats, including methane emissions, groundwater contamination, and land resource depletion. Amid the ongoing war and attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, MSW incineration with energy recovery emerges as a vital alternative energy source, capable of reducing waste volume by up to 90 % while generating heat or electricity. However, the incineration process requires precise control to minimize emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), and other toxic compounds, particularly due to the variable composition of MSW (moisture content 20–40 %, organic content 50–70 %). This study aims to enhance MSW incineration by integrating secondary air and flue gas recirculation systems within a computer-integrated control system (CICS). The paper provides a detailed description of the industrial furnace design, which includes a grate, an afterburning chamber, a waste bunker with dosing gates, and systems for secondary air (fan, nozzles, valves) and flue gas recirculation (fan, heat exchanger, filter). The CICS enables adaptive regulation of combustion parameters (temperature 850–1000 °C, oxygen content 6–8 %) based on real-time data from temperature, oxygen, CO, and NOx sensors. Literature analysis confirms that secondary air reduces CO concentrations by 15 %, while flue gas recirculation decreases NOx emissions by 10–15 % and saves 8–10 % of gas cleaning costs. Future research directions include experimental validation of the proposed approach, implementation of IoT-based automation, and integration with CO2 capture technologies to enhance environmental safety and energy efficiency.