Multidimensional Analysis of Meat and Bone Meal (MBM) Incineration Process

This paper presents test results of thermal treatment (combustion) of meat and bone meal (MBM) within the context of an animal waste utilization plant. The test facility was equipped with a rotating combustion chamber. The energy and ecological aspects of the operation of this facility were analyzed. This article assesses the impact of the tested system on the natural environment with regard to the emission of pollutants into the atmosphere. In accordance with the chemical composition of the incinerated waste, the following compounds were analyzed: CO, NOx (nitrogen oxides), SO2, HCl, HF, TOC (total organic carbon) and dust. The concentrations recorded in periods of 0.5 and 24 h were in compliance with the admissible levels defined by European Union directives. An analysis of the energy efficiency of the energy recovery system used, which produces saturated steam for the technological needs of the utilization plant, was also carried out. The conditions for the achieved ecological and energy parameters were analyzed and presented synthetically using the multicriteria assessment method, with a simultaneous Pareto principle determination of the process optimum. The results of the research and the analyses of ecological and performance parameters presented in the paper may prove helpful in the design and operation of systems for thermal treatment of waste equipped with a rotating combustion chamber and other types of furnaces.