What are the three essentials for combustion in an incinerator?

• A. Time, Temperature, and Turbulence
• B. Time, Pressure, and Turbulence
• C. Temperature, Humidity, and Turbulence
• D. Time, Temperature, and Oxygen

Answer: (A)

Three essentials for combustion in an incinerator are time, temperature, and turbulence. Time ensures there is enough residence duration at the combusting conditions for the fuel molecules to react with the oxidizer to completion; too little time leads to incomplete combustion and higher emissions of CO and unburned hydrocarbons. Temperature provides the energy needed to drive the oxidation reactions and sustain burning of the waste; the reactor must reach and maintain temperatures high enough for reliable destruction of the waste constituents. Turbulence, or mixing, promotes thorough contact between fuel and oxidizer, improving heat transfer and ensuring uniform combustion throughout the chamber; poor mixing can create hot spots or pockets where combustion is incomplete. Oxygen is the reactant present in the incinerator environment, but the three factors above are the controls that determine whether combustion proceeds efficiently and completely. If any of these factors are insufficient, combustion efficiency drops and undesirable emissions can increase.