Research Training in Unsteady Sludge Incineration

Abstract : This ASSERT program supported a parent investigation of the advantages of pulse combustion in solid waste and sludge incineration. Four auxiliary studies were, at least in part, funded under this program. A phenomenological model was developed which was used to understand the interaction between heat release and in a pulse combustor acoustics. It was shown that the convection time of reactive mixture pockets in the pulse combustor determine the level of acoustic driving. Furthermore, it was determined that while pulsations significantly enhance surface evaporation, they do not noticeably accelerate the migration of moisture or vapor from the inside of particulate matter to its surface. It was further determined that variable cross-section pulse incinerators result in larger dB levels than in straight ducts. Nevertheless, the development of dissipative traveling shocks is suppressed. Finally, an injector was developed that is capable of modulating the supply of liquid fuel or fine slurries at frequencies up to 800 Hz. While much of the above findings are also applicable to a variety of other pulse combustion applications, they provide important information for the construction of pulse incinerators, which have, in the parent project, been shown to provide significant advantages, over traditional furnaces.