Available online at www.sciencedirect.

com

ScienceDirect
Energy Procedia 104 (2016) 498 – 503

CUE2016-Applied Energy Symposium and Forum 2016: Low carbon cities & urban
energy systems

The Status of Municipal Solid Waste Incineration (MSWI) in

China and its Clean Development.
Xinmei Lia,Changming Zhanga ,Yize Lia , Qiang Zhia*
a
School of Government, Central University of Finance and Economics,Beijing,100081

Abstract

Many cities in China are facing with a serious crisis of garbage siege. As a major municipal solid
waste (MSW) disposal method, the incineration is of great significance to China at present. However,
because of the possibility that harmful materials may be emitted into the air and then jeopardize the
residents’ health, MSWI has encountered strong opposition from the public and therefore, its clean
development is necessary. This paper aims to presents a brief review of MSWI technology, energy
recovery and utilization as well as emission control in China from the prospect of MSWI’s clean
development. Firstly, the characteristics and application situation of three major MSWI are summarized.
Then, we sum up two main methods of energy recovery and utilization, which are generation of
electricity only and cogeneration of heat and power. Finally, some key points of air pollution control and
greenhouse gas control are summarized.
© 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license
© 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Selection and/or
Peer-review peer-reviewofunder
under responsibility responsibility
the scientific of of
committee CUEthe Applied Energy Symposium and Forum, CUE2016: Low carbon
cities and urban energy systems.
Keywords: Municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI); clean development; energy recover; air pollution control

1. Introduction

Due to the development of economy and the upgrading of urbanization, the generation of municipal
solid waste (MSW) has been increasing rapidly in China (Li et al, 2015), especially in those economically
developed and densely inhabited districts. China surpassed the United States as the largest garbage maker
in 2004. (World Bank, 2005).And by 2014, the MSW delivering quantity in China has reached 178.6
million tons (National Bureau of Statistics of China, 2015).It is a serious crisis of garbage siege that some
cities are facing with. (Li et al, 2015)
Landfill, incineration and composting are three main MSW disposal methods in China presently (Table
1). Though landfill is still predominant throughout the country, it seems no longer appropriate because of

* Corresponding author. E-mail address: zhiqiangthu@qq.com.

1876-6102 © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the Applied Energy Symposium and Forum, CUE2016: Low carbon cities
and urban energy systems.
doi:10.1016/j.egypro.2016.12.084
 Xinmei Li et al. / Energy Procedia 104 (2016) 498 – 503 499

the severe deficiency in land (Zhao et al., 2016). For the purpose of volume reduction, harmlessness and
energy recycling, incineration has been chosen as a primary refuse treatment method recently in lots of
Chinese cities, playing an increasingly important role in MSW disposal (Liu et al., 2006).
Table 1. The status of MSWI utilization in China (2006-2014) (National Bureau of Statistics, 2007-2015).

Landfill Incineration Composting

Ratio of Ratio of Ratio of
Year Number Number Number
Treatment Treatment Treatment
of Plants of Plants of Plants
Capacity (%) Capacity (%) Capacity (%)
2006 324 81.80 69 14.53 20 3.68
2008 407 82.85 74 15.44 14 1.71
2010 498 79.35 104 19.16 11 1.5
2012 540 72.55 138 24.73 - 2.71*
2014 604 65.54 188 32.51 26 1.95*

*Since 2012,the term "Composting" has been replaced by the term "other treatment" in the China statistical Yearbook

However, for some reasons such as the potentially toxic emission and the public thought of Not In My
Back Yard, MSWI has aroused a great deal of public opposition (Zhang et al., 2015 & Yassin et al., 2009).
Although a huge amount of technological effort has been made to clean the emission of incinerators, the
public still has doubt in it and are unwilling to take risks (Yassin et al., 2009).
As things stand, in order to earn public trust and acceptance, the technology of MSWI still has a long
way to go in China. This paper will present a brief review of MSWI technology, energy recovery and
utilization as well as emission control from the prospect of MSWI’s clean development, hoping to make
contribution to research on MSWI technology amelioration and its further application in China.

2. Incineration Technology

Dating from the 1880s, MSWI has developed for more than a century and is quite ripe now in some
developed countries. It was initially put into use in China at the end of the 1980s and has experienced a
fast development during the past 30 years (Liu et al., 2006). At present, stoker grate (SG), fluidized bed
(FB) and rotary kiln (RK) are three main kinds of MSWI used in China, among which stoker grate and
fluidized bed are more prevailing (Table 2)(Zhang & MA, 2006 ).

Table 2. Statistical results of MSWI technology in China in 2006(Cheng & Hu, 2010; Nie, 2008)

Incineration type Number of plants Number of incinerators Treatment capacity(t/d)

Stoker grate 25 69 20400
Fluidized bed 24 50 16080
Rotary kiln 14 32 3540
Total 63 151 40020

2.1. Stoker grate

SG incineration is a relative mature technique (World Bank, 1999). As the predominant MSWI in
China, it accounts for more than 60% of the total incineration capacity (Chen & Christensen, 2010).
500 Xinmei Li et al. / Energy Procedia 104 (2016) 498 – 503

Besides, the moving grate furnace is taking place of the fixed type gradually because it allows a
sustainable process of MSW and provides a better removal of combustion products (Tyrer, 2013).
No need for pretreatment is a distinguished superiority of SG. And each SG furnace also has a fairly
large capacity of waste disposal, up to 1200t/d (World Bank, 1999). Mainly relying on foreign technology
and equipment, most SG furnaces in China now have an average (500 t/d) or large (1000 t/d) incineration
capacity, which are typically used in large and coastal cities (Nie, 2008; Cheng & Hu, 2010). Large area
occupied, high capital and maintenance costs are main drawbacks (Xin-gang et al., 2016).

2.2. Fluidized bed

In a FB incinerator, the burning waste was put on the top of a bed of mineral grains which is
continuously agitated by an upward flowing airstream (Garg et al., 2009). Quite different with the grated
furnace which burns the waste layer by layer, FB incinerators can ignite and burn all of the MSW
uniformly (Tang et al, 2009). The traditional bubbling, rotating and circulating fluidized bed are three
kinds of fluidized bed reactors used for FB incineration (Van Caneghem et al, 2012).
FB incineration has high adaptability to a wide variety of waste, high tolerance of waste with high
moisture content and low calorific value, high combustion efficiency of up to 90%. Besides, it allows co-
firing with coal that is abundant and cheap in China (World Bank, 1999; Van Caneghem et al., 2012;
Cheng& Hu, 2010), which make it more suitable for dealing with MSW (Liu et al., 2006). However, it
needs pretreatment which is pretty expensive and complex (Jian & Hai, 2004). Almost entirely using
domestic technology, its treatment capacity is limited to the range of 100-500t/d in China, usually adopted
by small and mid-sized cities, or some large cities in middle and western China (Cheng & Hu, 2010).

2.3. Rotary kiln

Processed in a rotary kiln lined by refractory materials, MSW is transported and incinerated through
the furnace by the rotating of the inclined cylinder. This design can optimize mixing of different kinds of
MSW and burn it uniformly. A post-combustion is often necessary to insure the complete combustion and
increase the destruction of toxic compounds (Liu et al., 2006; European Commission, 2006).
No need for pretreatment, rotary kilns are able to accommodate waste regardless of phase, composition
and heating value (Knox, 2005; World Bank, 1999). And they can also withstand higher temperature of up
to 1400°C (European Commission, 2006). But influenced by the shortcomings such as small capacity
(2.4t/d to 480t/d), high capital and maintenance costs (World Bank, 1999), the application of rotary kilns
is restricted in China’s MSW disposal.

3. Energy recovery and utilization

Recovery of energy is an additional attractiveness of MSWI (Lam et al., 2011), which contributes to
improving the level of primary energy saving and MSW recycling (Lombardi et al., 2015). There are two
common utilization methods currently:

1.1. Generation of electricity only

Condensing turbine technology is widely used for generation of electricity only (Chai, 2006). The
steam produced by generated heat drives the turbine to generate electricity (Tsai et al., 2006), and then
all steam left will be cooled off and returned to the boiler (Lombardi et al., 2015; Pavlas & Touš, 2009).
This technology has the smallest demand for water but a part of energy is wasted when stream is
 Xinmei Li et al. / Energy Procedia 104 (2016) 498 – 503 501

condensed (Chai, 2006). It has been widely adopted by energy from waste (EFW) plants around the
world.

1.2. Cogeneration of heat and power (CHP)

Based on the principal of generation of electricity only, CHP facilities can combine heat and power
production by exporting the remained steam to other consumers (Pavlas & Touš, 2009). There are two
main technologies for CHP: backpressure turbine and extraction turbine (Rupinder S. J. et al., 2015).
The generating capacity with backpressure turbine technology requires the customers with full-year
demand of heat (Dudeková M. et al., 2007). However, the extraction turbine has the ability to provide
quite flexible quantities of hot water, depending on the heating requirement (Lombardi et al., 2015;
Tobiasen & Kamuk, 2013). Apart from a better environmental effect than generation of electricity only,
the CHP systems also has a higher energy efficiency (Jeswani & Azapagic, 2016).

4. Emission control

Air pollutants (AP) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emitted from MSWI are two main problems. Air
pollutants, especially dioxins and furans, are possibly produced and released out (Cheng & Hu, 2010).
And the biggest problem worrying the public now is that long-term exposure to them may do severe harm
to human health (Williams, 2005). Among the non-toxic impact of MSWI, GHG is the most important
one (Yang et al., 2012).It is notable to reduce GHG emission in building low carbon cities.

4.1. Air pollution control

4.1.1. Pretreatment control

The pretretment of removing plastic substances before burning can reduce the chlorine and hydrogen
chloride emission that generated during incineration of plastic material (Williams, 2005). And because
FeCl3 and CuCl2 can accelerate the formation of dioxins during incineration, it’s better to pick out Fe, Cu
and Ni as well (Zhang et al., 2003). Besides, mixing organic wastes with fuel to enable complete
combustion can prevent the formation of dioxins and furans from imperfect burning (Mckay, 2002; Liu et
al., 2012). Considering the high moisture content of MSW in China, the mechanical-biological
pretreatment to separate the organic putrescent and inert fraction from the high-energy content fraction
may be a good choice for dioxins control (Zhang et al., 2015).

4.1.2. Efficient combustion control

The most important factors affecting the formation of dioxins and furans are classified as "3T", which
stands for temperature, residence time and turbulence (Mckay, 2002). It is commonly recommended that
temperatures be above 1000°Cˈresidence time be longer than 1 second and turbulence be enhanced to
ensure intensive mixing air and fuel (Williams, 2005). What’s more, a 3–6% excess oxygen level is also
helpful (Liu et al., 2006). Specific standards vary with MSWI. For example, temperature in fluidized bed
should be around 850°C in the bed area (Liu et al., 2000), with the corresponding residence time of 2s
(Liu et al., 2006).

4.1.3. Flue gases cleaning control

502 Xinmei Li et al. / Energy Procedia 104 (2016) 498 – 503

Dry, semi-dry and wet technology are three main technologies applied for flue gas cleaning. The clean-
up choice depends on pollutant chroma. Some novel technologies such as NEUTREC and REMEDIA are
researched to remove pollutants efficiently (Ucekaj et al., 2010). And catalytic reaction and catalytically
coated fabric filters are often used to remove PCDD/Fs (Williams, 2005). In China, semi-dry technology
with lime is usually used in MSW incinerators (Nie, 2008).

4.2. Greenhouse gas control

GHG is produced in nearly all the links of MSWI. In collection and transporting, CO 2 is generated by
vehicle transport for the use of fuel. In recycling, using energy for manufacturing will also create CO 2.
And in process of incineration, CO2 and N2O are easily produced by burning fossil fuels (Chen & Lin,
2008).
Studies have shown some key points in GHG emission mitigation. Firstly, in order to decrease the use
of fossil fuel, the refuse transport system should be optimized which can reduce transport distance and
improve transport efficiency. And using clean fuel as a substitute for fossil fuel is another choice. Besides,
recycling of paper products is especially beneficial to carbon sequestration (Chen & Lin, 2008). What’s
more, MSWI with energy recovery is considered to be more climate-friendly. Being able to replace a
larger number of fossil fuels, CHP could save more GHG emissions than the generation of electricity
alone (Damgaard et al., 2010).

5. Conclusion

This paper presents a brief summary of MSWI technology and its application status in China. In
addition, energy recovery and utilization as well as emission control are summarized from the view of
MSWI clean development. Some key findings are outlined below:
(1)Landfill, incineration and composting are three main MSW disposal methods in China currently.
Though landfill is still predominate throughout the country, MSWI is playing a larger role in this area.
(2)Stoke grate (SG), fluidized bed (FB) and rotary kiln (FB) are three main MSWI technologies, in
which SG and FB are more widely used in China. In order to complement their respective weak spots, the
combination of different MSWI is tried and put into use.
(3)MSWI provides opportunities to recover and utilize power and heat from MSW. Presently
generation of electricity only and cogeneration of heat and power (CHP) are two major systems. And the
CHP has the highest efficiency of energy recycling.
(4)Only air pollution control and greenhouse gas control are summarized in the section of emission
control. Control for other kinds of emissions such as leaches are not included in this paper.

References

[1]Li Y, Zhao X, Li Y, et al. Waste incineration industry and development policies in China. Waste Management 2015; 46: 234-241.
[2]World Bank, 2005. Waste Management in China: Issues and Recommendations. Urban Development Working Papers 9. East
Asia Infrastructure Department.
[3]Zhao X G, Jiang G W, Li A, et al. Technology, cost, a performance of waste-to-energy incineration industry in China. Renewable
& Sustainable Energy Reviews 2016; 55:115-130.
[4]Liu Z, Liu Z, Li X. Status and prospect of the application of municipal solid waste incineration in China. Applied Thermal
Engineering 2006;26(11–12):1193-1197.
[5]Zhang D, Huang G, Xu Y, et al. Waste-to-Energy in China: Key Challenges and Opportunities. Energies 2015˗ 8(12):14182-
14196.
[6]Yassin L, Lettieri P, Simons S J R, et al. Techno-economic performance of energy-from-waste fluidized bed combustion and
gasification processes in the UK context. Chemical Engineering Journal 2009;146(3):315-327.
 Xinmei Li et al. / Energy Procedia 104 (2016) 498 – 503 503

[7]Zhang Z, Ma J. EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENT OF MSW INCINERATOR WITH A NOVEL MSW INCINERATION

TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATED WITH BIOCHEMICAL METHOD . International Technology & Innovation Conference,
2006:2262-2267.
[8]Cheng H, Hu Y. Municipal solid waste (MSW) as a renewable source of energy: Current and future practices in China.
Bioresource Technology2010; 101(11):3816-24.
[9]Nie Y. Development and prospects of municipal solid waste (MSW) incineration in China. Frontiers of Environmental Science &
Engineering in China 2008; 2(1):1-7.
[10]World Bank Technical Guidance Report, 1999, Municipal Solid Waste Incineration, The World Bank Washington, DC.
[11]Chen D, Christensen T H. Life-cycle assessment (EASEWASTE) of two municipal solid waste incineration technologies in
China. Waste Management & Research the Journal of the International Solid Wastes & Public Cleansing Association Iswa 2010;
28(6):508-19.
[12]Tyrer M. Municipal Solid Waste Incinerator (MSWI) Concrete. Resources Conservation & Recycling 2013; 20(4):295-296.
Garg A, Smith R, Hill D, et al. An integrated appraisal of energy recovery options in the United Kingdom using solid recovered fuel
derived from municipal solid waste. Waste Management 2009; 29(8):2289-97.
[13]Zhao, Xin Gang, et al. Technology, cost, a performance of waste-to-energy incineration industry in China.. Renewable &
Sustainable Energy Reviews 2016;115-130.
[14]Garg A, Smith R, Hill D, et al. An integrated appraisal of energy recovery options in the United Kingdom using solid recovered
fuel derived from municipal solid waste. Waste Management 2009; 29(8):2289-97.
[15]Tang, W, He, P. , Zhang, X. Comparison and selection of municipal solid wastes incineration technology. Applied energy
technology 2009; (8), 8-10. (in Chinese)
[16]Van Caneghem J, Brems A, Lievens P, et al. Fluidized bed waste incinerators: Design, operational and environmental issues.
Progress in Energy and Combustion Science, 2012, 38(4): 551-582.
[17] Jian, H., Hai, R. Direct gasification and melting incineration technology of MSW. China:Press of Metallurgy Industry ;2004.
(in Chinese)
[18]European Commissionˈ2006. Reference Document on the Best Available Techniques for Waste Incineration.
[19]Knox A. An Overview of Incineration and EFW Technology as Applied to the Management of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW).
2005.
[20]Lam C H K, Barford J P, Mckay G. Utilization of municipal solid waste incineration ash in Portland cement clinker. Clean
Technologies & Environmental Policy 2011˗13(4):607-615.
[21]Lombardi L, Carnevale E, Corti A. A review of technologies and performances of thermal treatment systems for energy
recovery from waste. Waste Management 2015; 37:26-44.
[22]Pavlas M, Touš M. Efficient waste-to-energy system as a contribution to clean technologies. Clean Technologies &
Environmental Policy 2009; 11(1):19-29.
[23]Chai, X. Incineration technology of solid waste. China: Chemical industry press; 2006. (in Chinese)
[24] Tsai W T, Chou Y H. An overview of renewable energy utilization from municipal solid waste (MSW) incineration in Taiwan.
Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews 2006; 10(5):491-502.
[25] Ucekaj V, Šarlej M, Puchýř R, et al. Efficient and environmentally friendly energy systems for microregions. Clean
Technologies & Environmental Policy 2010; 12(6):671-683.
[26] Rupinder Singh Johal, H. Chandra, N. Gautam. A Review Paper on Waste Energy Utilisation By Cogeneration/Trigeneration
System. IPASJ International Journal of Mechanical Engineering (IIJME) 2015; 17-27.
[27]Dudeková M, Klemeš J, Stehlík P. Analysis to intensify the energy utilization in incineration plant. 2007.
[28]Tobiasen L, Kamuk B. 8–Waste to energy (WTE) systems for district heating. 2013.
[29]Jeswani H K, Azapagic A. Assessing the environmental sustainability of energy recovery from municipal solid waste in the UK..
Waste Management 2016; 50:346-363.
[30]Williams P T, Williams P T. Dioxins and furans from the incineration of municipal solid waste: an overview. Journal- Energy
Institute 2005; 78(1):38-48.
[31]Yang N, Zhang H, Chen M, et al. Greenhouse gas emissions from MSW incineration in China: Impacts of waste characteristics
and energy recovery. Waste management, 2012, 32(12): 2552-2560.
[32]Zhang J, Wang H, Xie G, Zeng G.S. control technology of Dioxins from Municipal Refuse Incineration. Engineering and
Technology 2003; 20-21.˄in Chinese˅.
[33]Mckay G. Dioxin characterisation, formation and minimisation during municipal solid waste (MSW) incineration: review.
Chemical Engineering Journal 2002; 86(3):343-368.
[34]Liu H, Kong S, Liu Y, et al. Pollution Control Technologies of Dioxins in Municipal Solid Waste Incinerator. Procedia
Environmental Sciences 2012; 16(4):661-668.
[35]National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) .2007–2015. China Statistical Yearbook. China Statistics Press, Beijing.
[36]Chen T C, Lin C F. Greenhouse gases emissions from waste management practices using Life Cycle Inventory model. Journal
of Hazardous Materials, 2008, 155(1): 23-31.
[37]Damgaard A, Riber C, Fruergaard T, et al. Life-cycle-assessment of the historical development of air pollution control and
energy recovery in waste incineration. Waste Management, 2010, 30(7): 1244-1250.