Technical-economic analysis of pretreatment influence for a SMW incineration platform

Many incineration plants are using procedures to subject wastes to a pretreatment before incineration takes place. Different kinds of pretreatment can be considered. Since incineration is now done for heat recovery (electric energy production), the separation is mainly performed with reference to metals, inert matter and organic material. Such choices influence the plant configuration and bring about a more articulated plant, when compared to a plant performing simple incineration. Side effects are expected on both energy production and emissions, with reference to the possibility of a more efficient energetic use of the organic material, and to the different composition of waste sent to combustion. Besides, the change of plant configuration from a traditional one also modifies both installation and operation costs. The present paper analyzes the above aspects, also with the purpose to make a comparison to traditional incineration plants. Parameters are then identified to allow a choice toward a solution, also as a function of conditions such as plant potentiality, energy production costs, original waste composition, economic balance, etc