Effect of co-firing rate on dewatered sludge and municipal solid waste incineration： pollutants emissions， operational performance and byproducts

WANG Hao; ZHONG Yang; XIAO Sihua; YUAN Weifang; SONG Xiaowei

doi:10.13205/j.hjgc.202607003

Volume 44 Issue 7

Jul. 2026

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Article Navigation > ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING > 2026 > 44(7): 26-33

WANG Hao, ZHONG Yang, XIAO Sihua, YUAN Weifang, SONG Xiaowei. Effect of co-firing rate on dewatered sludge and municipal solid waste incineration： pollutants emissions， operational performance and byproducts[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2026, 44(7): 26-33. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202607003

Citation:

WANG Hao, ZHONG Yang, XIAO Sihua, YUAN Weifang, SONG Xiaowei. Effect of co-firing rate on dewatered sludge and municipal solid waste incineration： pollutants emissions， operational performance and byproducts[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2026, 44(7): 26-33. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202607003

Citation:

WANG Hao, ZHONG Yang, XIAO Sihua, YUAN Weifang, SONG Xiaowei. Effect of co-firing rate on dewatered sludge and municipal solid waste incineration： pollutants emissions， operational performance and byproducts[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2026, 44(7): 26-33. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202607003

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Effect of co-firing rate on dewatered sludge and municipal solid waste incineration： pollutants emissions， operational performance and byproducts

doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202607003

1. Guangdong Guangye Environmental Protection Industry Group Co., Ltd., Guangzhou 510030, China;
2. Zhuhai Kechuang Environmental Resources Co., Ltd. Zhuhai 519090, China;
3. Guangxi Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Nanning 530022, China

Received Date: 2026-02-27
Available Online: 2026-09-01

Abstract

Abstract

Co-firing municipal sludge with municipal solid waste （MSW） provides a viable solution for sludge disposal. This study evaluated the effect of sludge co-firing rate （0%， 5%， and 10%） on flue gas pollutant emissions， operational performance， and incineration byproduct characteristics in a waste-to-energy plant. The results showed that at under all co-firing rates， the concentrations of SO₂， NO _x， CO， HCl， particulate matter， and dioxins complied with the limits specified in the Standard for Pollution Control on Municipal Solid Waste Incineration （GB 18485—2014）. As the co-firing rate increased from 5% to 10%， concentrations of all flue gas pollutants except NO _x and HCl exhibited an upward trend.The optimal operational performance under the test conditions was achieved at a 5% co-firing rate， when the flue gas volume， fan volume， and ammonia and lime consumption were minimized. Compared to the 5% rate， increasing the co-firing rate to 10% resulted in elevated flue gas volume， fan volume， and reagent consumption. Steam production decreased from 2.778 t/t （0% co-firing rate） to 2.358 t/t （5% co-firing rate） and 2.117 t/t （10% co-firing rate）， indicating a reduction in power generation efficiency with increasing sludge co-firing rates. Leaching toxicity analysis of fly ash revealed significant reductions in the leached concentrations of Zn and Pb， while those of Hg， As， Ba， and Se showed slight increases， all remaining well below regulatory limits. This study confirms the technical feasibility of directly co-firing mechanically dewatered sludge （with a moisture content of 50% to 60%） without thermal drying. A 5% co-firing rate is identified as the optimal balance between operational economy and system efficiency.
- sludge co-incineration,
- co-firing rate,
- operational performance,
- pollutants emission,
- fly ash leaching toxicity

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References(23)

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