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Thermal destruction of municipal solid waste (MSW) can provide an effective solution for the volume reduction of waste and energy recovery. Effective thermal destruction of waste depends on several factors including the operating temperature, excess air, heating rate, as well as physical and chemical properties, feed size and moisture content of the waste. Different processes associated with thermal destruction of waste have been identified. Prominent thermal destruction processes evaluated in this study include: pyrolysis, gasification and combustion. The kinetics and thermochemical analysis of these processes has been carried out. It is found that the maximum operating temperature and heating rate to which the waste is subjected determines the operational regime of a particular thermal destruction system. The thermal destruction systems evaluated are: rotary kiln, mass burn incinerators, fluidized beds, electrically heated reactors and plasma arc reactors.

The heat balanced or combined cycle engine with time dependent combustion sustained by two chamber geometry is demonstrated experimentally. Evidence of time dependent heat addition is given where combustion creates a field of pressure waves sustained by pressure exchange between two chambers. The basic cycle and operating characteristics are reviewed and experimental results with CFR and glass-walled engines demonstrate the engine characteristic as compared to OTTO engines. Improvements in thermal efficiency over the OTTO engine in excess of 45% are demonstrated in some operating regimes. Considerable reduction in peak pressure and exhaust emission are also demonstrated.