Full Process Review:

This report fully updates earlier reviews of the process published by Juniper in 2007. 

The current owners and operators of SEMASS (Covanta Energy) purchased the remaining operating assets of Energy Answers in 2007. Covanta Energy invited Juniper back to SEMASS to discuss the current operational performance and the implications of a fire that had occurred there in 2007. The visit took place in November 2007 and this process review was updated following that visit. This revised review contains additional information and analysis, including plant operational data and further analysis of the performance of this technology relative to conventional incineration.

Energy Answers has developed a technique to produce a 'Processed Refuse Fuel' (PRF) which is converted to energy via a grate-based suspension firing system. While the process concept is functionally similar to a conventional moving grate incinerator, there are a number of subtle differences, which may confer advantages in particular circumstances. This review identifies and comments upon these differences and assesses the extent to which this technology is a contender for large Energy-from-Waste projects, both within the US and worldwide.

What's in the review:
This is the most comprehensive review available of this process, and examines the issues which would be of most interest to potential customers. It includes the following:

• Current commercial status
  
• Process performance
  
• Visual impact and plant footprint
  
• Advantages and disadvantages of the process
  
• Economics
  
• Juniper's opinion
  
  

Table of Contents

Overview

Historical Development and Business Focus

The Process Concept

Waste reception to fuel preparation

Waste feeding

Combustion

Energy generation

Air pollution control

Ash processing and materials recovery

Process Performance

MSW processed

Power generation

Thermal efficiency of the process

Recycling performance

Environmental Performance

Emissions to air

Liquid effluents

Solid residues

Operational Performance

Operability, reliability and availability

Maintainability

Visual Impact and Plant Footprint

Economics

Current Commercial Status

Comparison of PRF Suspension Firing with Moving Grate Combustion

Juniper's Opinion



Date published: 3rd January, 2007
Updated: 20th February, 2008
Price: 180 UK pounds
Number of pages: 33
Format: downloadable pdf