Ignition behaviour of pulp and paper combustible wastes

Ignition behaviour of combustible wastes from the pulp and paper industry w as studied in a modified thermogravimetric furnace. Criteria for ignition a nd the ignition mechanism were developed. The ignition of combustible waste s was predominantly homogeneous. The influence of different factors, such a s particle size, sample type, heating rate and oxygen concentration, was st udied. In general, no monotonic relationship between ignition temperature a nd particle size was observed. Different types of sample had different igni tion temperatures (ranging from 203 to 227 degrees C). The ignition tempera ture increased with heating rate but decreased with oxygen concentration. T he combustible waste samples were collected and morphologically analysed at different stages of the heating process. No significant differences in mor phology were observed just before and after ignition. The results obtained are useful in identifying the region for injection of combustible wastes in to industrial combustors (e.g. boilers or fluidized beds). (C) 2000 Elsevie r Science Ltd. All rights reserved.