hrl: Nick Miller's presentation at the Waste Expo Conference

1. Knowing your waste streams –
characterising techniques
hrl: Waste Expo Conference October 11-12th 2017

2. 2
Agenda
• hrl: Introduction
• Why is fuel characterisation so important
• Sampling methods
• Key Analysis Parameters

3. 3
hrl:
 Professional Engineers and Scientists - leaders in the energy
industry
 Optimise plant operation and evaluate plant life
 Design and execution of Sampling Plans for waste materials
 NATA accredited laboratory - accurate analytical assessment and
characterisation of waste materials
 10+ years of experience – characterisation of many different fuel
types (Biomass, Pellets, PEF, SRF, MSW, C&I, C&D, Floc etc)
 Industries – Paper, Glass, Cement, Energy, Waste, Aluminium
Who are we?

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• Sampling, and analysing waste correctly is imperative in
understanding the waste quality and variability.
• Selecting the right methods for sampling and analysis are very
important in obtaining the right information.
• Waste analysis supports key decisions in each step of a projects
development.
• Waste analysis is used to control impacts on plant and to the
environment.
Why? – Sample and Analysis Your Waste

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Australia has no nationally recognised standard methods for sampling
and analysis of waste resources. So which standards to use???
??
? ?

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• 15442:2011 Methods for sampling
• 15443:2011 Methods for sampling preparation
• 15414-1:2011 Total Moisture
• 15414-3:2011 Analysis Moisture
• 15403:2011 Ash
• 15402:2011 Volatile Matter
• 15407:2011 Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen
• 15400:2011 Calorific Value
• 15408:2011 Sulphur, Chlorine, Fluoride, Bromide, Iodide.
• 15410:2011 Major Elements
• 15411:2011 Minor Elements
• 15440:2011 Biomass Content
Solid Recovered Fuels CEN/TC 343

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• 15442:2011 Methods for sampling
• 15443:2011 Methods for sampling preparation
• 15414-1:2011 Total Moisture
• 15414-3:2011 Analysis Moisture
• 15403:2011 Ash
• 15402:2011 Volatile Matter
• 15407:2011 Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen
• 15400:2011 Calorific Value
• 15408:2011 Sulphur, Chlorine, Fluoride, Bromide, Iodide.
• 15410:2011 Major Elements
• 15411:2011 Minor Elements
Solid Biofuels CEN/TC 343

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1500 tonne s
coarse
MSW/ SRF
Mixing/ Splitting Sorting
Coarse shredding
Mixing/ Splitting
Fine
shredding
Mixing/ Splitting for possible
furthe r size re duction us ing
LN2 and/ or m ills
1 g ram for
analysis
1,500,000,000g
to
1g
Sampling and Sample Preparation

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• Calorific value - The calorific value - the amount of heat or
energy generated when it is completely combusted.
• Moisture content -. Moisture content is the amount of moisture
present in waste and impacts on the Nett Cvar
• Volatile matter, the combustible fraction within the waste material
• Ash, the inert material after complete combustion
Moisture CV
What parameters are important?

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Ash content
 High ash wastes - efficient dust removal systems to remove the
amount of particulate emissions;
 High ash content wastes - lower calorific value;
 Ash composition - high trace elements – disposal issues (EPA)
 Ash melting properties – fouling of boiler tubes
What parameters are important?

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Ultimate Analysis
• Carbon – CO2 emissions
• Hydrogen – acidic emissions
• Nitrogen – NOx emissions
• Sulphur – SOx and Sulphuric Acid emissions
• Chlorine – HCL emissions = Corrosion
What parameters are important?

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Major and Minor Elements
• SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, TiO2, MgO, Na2O, K2O, CaO etc
• As, Sb, Se, Hg, Cd, Cr, Pb, Cu, Ni, Zn etc
• Impacts ash – fouling within system, disposal of ash (EPA)
• Impacts air emissions - need for lime or carbon inject
- emissions control systems (EPA)
What parameters are important?

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The electricity and/or heat generated from the biodegradable fraction
of waste is characterised as renewable energy and may be eligible
for receiving REC or LGC payments.
• 15440:2011 Biomass Content
• hrl: in-house method (paper/plastic)
Biomass Content (Renewables/Non-renewable

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Thank you
Nick Miller – nmiller@hrl.com.au
Ph: 03 9565 9912
Mobile: 0407 555 330

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Wrap up &
Questions

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