title: The reuse of spent mushroom compost and coal tailings for energy recovery: comparison of thermal treatment technologies.
abstract: Thermal treatment technologies were compared to determine an appropriate method of recovering energy from two wastes - spent mushroom compost and coal tailings. The raw compost and pellets of these wastes were combusted in a fluidised-bed and a packed-bed, and contrasted to pyrolysis and gasification. Quantitative combustion parameters were compared to assess the differences in efficiency between the technologies. Fluidised-bed combustion was more efficient than the packed-bed in both instances and pellet combustion was superior to that of the compost alone. Acid gas emissions (NO(x), SO(x) and HCl) were minimal for the fluidised-bed, thus little gas cleaning would be required. The fuels' high ash content (34%) also suggests fluidised-bed combustion would be preferred. The Alkali Index of the ash indicates the possibility of fouling/slagging within the system, caused by the presence of alkali metal oxides. Pyrolysis produced a range of low-calorific value-products, while gasification was not successful.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Sheffield, Mappin Street, Sheffield, UK. cpp06knf@sheffield.ac.uk
authors.forename: Karen N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Finney
authors.forename: Changkook
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ryu
authors.forename: Vida N
authors.initials: VN
authors.lastname: Sharifi
authors.forename: Jim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Swithenbank
mesh_terms: D000363:Agaricales / Q000737:chemistry*; D001674:Bioelectric Energy Sources; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D003031:Coal / Q000032:analysis*; D003246:Conservation of Energy Resources / Q000379:methods*; D004735:Energy Transfer; D006358:Hot Temperature; D012987:Soil / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D003031:Coal; D012987:Soil