Characterization of the temperature and oxygen concentration field in a decentralized solid-waste incinerator for villages and towns

Decentralized solid-waste incinerators (DSWIs) have certain advantages for waste disposal from villages and towns. However, the incineration condition is always affected by the distribution of temperature and oxygen concentration, which causes difficulties in operation and maintenance. In this study, the temperature and oxygen concentration distribution of DSWI were characterized using different air flow rates and bottom ash volumes. The results showed that the adjustment of air flow has no significant influence on the heating process of the DSWI, while the retention of bottom ash did affect the temperature and oxygen concentration fields in the furnace. When the air flow rate was increased without the retention of bottom ash, 99% of the furnace volume temperature was observed between 780 °C and 800 °C. However, once the bottom ash was retained, the whole furnace temperature was steadily maintained between 800 °C and 850 °C. When the air flow rate was increased without bottom ash, the highest furnace volume percentage of oxygen concentrations higher than 3% maxed out at 11% volume, while it could reach 100% when bottom ash remained. The distribution of the temperature and oxygen concentration in the DSWI characterized by this research provides strong support for the operation and management of such systems.