Waste to Energy: Developing T2S testing methodologies Case Study

As part of the environmental regulations for compliant operation in Australia, Waste to Energy plants must demonstrate that the combustion gases resulting from the incineration of waste remain above 850°C for at least 2 seconds after the last combustion air injection. This is referred to as the T_2s requirement, coming from “temperature at 2 seconds”. 

HRL was recently contracted to carry out compliance testing on a newly commissioned WtE plant in Western Australia. However, as of the time of testing, there was a lack of official standards and guidelines surrounding not only the requirements, but also around the testing methods and interpretation of results. 

HRL developed its own comprehensive testing method in-house, tailor-made for this plant site. This was used to calculate the T_2s by calculating the residence time of flue gases within the incineration chamber. The method was based on industry case studies and guidelines, using both the most favourable and most unfavourable operating conditions. Using these criteria, HRL devised a test procedure to determine the residence time of a particle in the incinerator, as well as a method to determine the T_2s value.

Residence flue gas characterisation diagram, used to calculate T2S value.

The devised testing method successfully quantified the performance of the incinerator, allowed HRL to obtain values for the average residence time of the flue gases, the duration at which the waste gases were above 850°C, and the T_2s value.

HRL’s methodology allowed for formal calculation and reporting, which could then be used to ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations. On the client’s end, the results of the testing allowed them to proceed to the next stage of development.