Steelcase Closed Loop Energy Recovery System - What We Have Learned With Our Operation

Abstract

Energy cost increases, future shortages, and environmental concerns are making it less attractive to landfill our fuel concentrated wastes. Our 2,000 #/hr modular waste burning incinerator has operated since July, 1980. To provide an understanding of the complex system relationships, I will outline briefly the components of the system that require management control. The organization can be viewed as a spoked wheel. The incinerator is the hub, the spokes are people, combustion process, waste stream, system residue, records and performance evaluation. Training and supervision are necessary consistently for the personnel who operate equipment, haul type 'O' waste, haul paint filters, transport paint residue, perform maintenance, keep records, etc. The fuel stream is not consistent complicating the combustion control process. A communication network is necessary to avoid waste/fuel contamination and to encourage interest in overall system efficiency. To achieve maximum potential, a comprehensive management system must be developed to set priorities, communicate and coordinate all related system factors.