Renewable

Waste-to-Energy Technologies

Clean, efficient and renewable energy from waste

Waste-to-Energy Technologies

Providing clean, efficient and renewable energy from waste

Our capabilities of turning waste into energy include state-of-the-art boilers, fuel and ash handling systems, and emissions control technologies. As a leading waste-to-energy company, B&W has more than 155 years of experience in designing, supplying and servicing some of the world’s cleanest, most efficient energy and environmental systems.

Plant Scope Includes:

Energy-from-Waste Boiler Designs

Three major designs are used in waste to energy plants: 1) single-pass furnace, 2) multi-pass furnace with vertical convection pass, and 3) multi-pass furnace with a horizontal convection pass.

B&W has proven experience with designing and building all three variations, with the choice of design determined by the application. All three designs feature a furnace that is strategically arranged over the grate to control gas flow and maximize heat absorption, and thus, maximize efficiency. B&W designs the flue gas flow path to provide reasonably uniform cross-section flow and temperature distributions by using physical and/or numerical computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling, and empirical data.

Single Pass Furnace

B&W’s single-pass furnace is a top-supported design that features a single vertical shaft for the rising combustion gases from the grate, with enough residence time and temperature to burn the fuel completely and cool the flue gas to the required furnace exit gas temperature before entering the superheater. The flue gas then turns 90 degrees around a furnace arch to pass through the horizontal crossflow top-supported superheater before turning downward to flow through the longflow steam generating bank. The flue gas then passes vertically over the crossflow economizer and exits the boiler enclosure.

Multiple Pass Furnace with Vertical Convection Pass

B&W’s multipass furnace with vertical convection pass locates the steam generating bank and superheater in the vertical third pass, and the economizer in the fourth pass. In this design, furnace gases pass upwards through the radiative section then makes a 180-degree turn and flows downward through a second vertical radiation pass. The gas then makes another 180-degree turn and flows up through the third pass where the superheater and generating bank are located. Finally, the flue gas is directed downward through the fourth pass which contains the crossflow economizer. While this design minimizes the larger footprint of the three-pass furnace, accessing the superheater in the vertical gas path for maintenance is more difficult.

Multiple Pass Furnace – Horizontal Convection Pass with a Horizontal Economizer

The combustion gases of B&W’s multipass furnace with horizontal convection pass leave the grate and lower furnace and pass upward through the first open furnace pass and then downward through the second open pass. A portion of the first pass may be covered with specialized materials to reduce heat absorption and permit the flue gas to maintain a suitable temperature for complete combustion of the fuel in smaller boilers, and at lower loads in larger units. At the bottom of the second open pass, the flue gas turns 180 degrees to pass upward through the third pass to cool the flue gas to the required gas temperature before entering the horizontal convection pass with a horizontal economizer.

Multiple Pass Furnace – Horizontal Convection Pass with a Vertical Economizer

The combustion gases of B&W’s multipass furnace with horizontal convection pass leave the grate and lower furnace and pass upward through the first open furnace pass and then downward through the second open pass. A portion of the first pass may be covered with specialized materials to reduce heat absorption and permit the flue gas to maintain a suitable temperature for complete combustion of the fuel in smaller boilers, and at lower loads in larger units. At the bottom of the second open pass, the flue gas turns 180 degrees to pass upward through the third pass to cool the flue gas to the required gas temperature before entering the horizontal convection pass with a vertical economizer.

Adaptive SNCR for Optimized Boiler NOx Reduction

The selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) system from B&W provides optimized nitrogen oxides (NOx) control while maintaining proper boiler operation. By knowing the detailed design criteria of the SNCR system and integrating this into our computational fluid dynamics (CFD)-based boiler design process, we optimize boiler operation and NOx emissions. Read this project summary to learn how our adaptive SNCR was integrated into the plant upgrade at Filborna, Sweden.

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filborna-Sweden_image_Fagerhult

Safety and Service Solutions

Proper maintenance is essential for achieving the full potential, performance and safe operation of your plant. B&W offers a wide range of technology and service solutions that can improve safety and simplify maintenance while helping to reduce downtime and save money.

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Related Technologies

B&W Diamond Power® Sootblowers

Diamond Power^® sootblowers remove deposits and maintain waste-to-energy boiler efficiency with our specialized designs. Available in steam/air, high pressure water, and dual-media air heater cleaning configurations to meet specific customer needs for boiler cleaning precision, reliability and efficiency.

Integrated carbon capture

B&W has been at the forefront of research and development for effective decarbonization technologies for several decades. Two technologies can be integrated into a waste-to-energy plant. Our SolveBright™ solvent-based carbon capture technology can be designed to accommodate a customer’s choice of solvents. And our OxyBright™ oxy-combustion technology has been demonstrated at a large scale and is commercially ready.

Health, Safety and Sustainability

B&W Renewable's waste-to-energy operations are ISO 45001 certified. Our goal is to continually improve our work environment by managing and controlling the risks that exist at the workplace, at production facilities, at our offices, and when working on-site at clients’ plants. Also, health and safety are engrained in B&W work culture via the Target Zero program. It reflects our commitment to the overall safety of each employee.

ISO-Certifications-9001-14001-45001

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Waste-to-Energy Technologies