M.S. Thesis: Application of Circulating Fluidized Bed (CFB) to a Waste to Energy (WTE) Plant in Hong Kong.
By Jun Dong
Advisors: Dr. A.C. (Thanos) Bourtsalas and Prof. Nickolas J. Themelis
Department of Earth and Environmental Engineering
Fu Foundation School of Engineering & Applied Science
Columbia University
December 2018
The objective of this study was to analyze the current waste situation in Hong Kong, and discuss the pre-feasibility of implementing a waste to energy plant in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong, one of China’s most developed regions, has a population of 7.3 million and generated 5.74 million tons (0.79 tons per capital) of municipal solid waste (MSW) in 2015, with an annual increase of roughly 2% in the last few years. Hong Kong is faced with a scarcity of land and three of Hong Kong’s largest landfills, including the South East New Territories Landfill (SENT), are expected to be full by the end of 2019.
The technology of Circulating Fluid Bed (CFB) for energy recovery from MSW (waste to energy or WTE) is an alternative to the moving grate combustion technology. First, it would reduce the volume of MSW by up to 90% through combustion, solving the most urgent problem of land scarcity. Second, energy would be recovered and then be used for electricity generation, thus reducing the consumption of non-renewable coals. Third, emission of methane, a potent greenhouse gas and a normal phenomenon in landfills, would be prevented.
The Bubbling Fluidized Bed (BFB) and Circulating Fluidized Bed (CFB) boiler, were analyzed and compared in this study. In addition, the final site and transportation method were examined during this study. Possible ways to increase public acceptance of WTE in Hong Kong are also discussed.