Improving Calculation of Lower Heating Value of Waste by Data Reconciliation – Analysis and Evaluation

Abstract

Lower heating value represents a key parameter influencing performance and economy of any combustion process including waste incineration. Lower heating value of waste (LHVW) evaluation is a challenging task due to the heterogeneity of this specific type of fuel. In the long term (annually, monthly), LHVW may be evaluated according to the regression function recommended by the Reference document on the Best Available Techniques for Waste Incineration (BREF/BAT). Special attention has to be paid to specific features related to particular technology. The acquired LHVW also serves as an initial estimate for subsequent calculation of combustion chamber efficiency.
This paper extends previous work on the topic of LHVW evaluation and analyses the possibility of simultaneous LHVW and also efficiency evaluation improvement by applying data reconciliation principle. This method could generate more precise data used as input parameters for subsequent plant operation planning on a short term basis. The idea consists in the fact that the efficiency calculations by different available methods should be equal. The equality may be achieved by modifying values of significant parameters (waste input, LHVW, steam output) simultaneously. But the modified values should be close to original values to have meaningful results. This procedure leads to nonlinear optimization problem. The potential of the approach is evaluated on the basis of a comprehensive analysis.