Feasibility Study of Energy Recovery by Incineration - A Case Study of the Triangle Wastewater Treatment Plant

This study evaluates the energy recovery potential of wastewater by means of incineration for a small wastewater treatment plant. An analysis was conducted taking a local sewage treatment plant as a case in point, the challenge being the relatively small size of the treatment plant. This study investigates the future financial impact of unchanged sludge disposal method and the potential benefits and drawbacks of a sludge incineration plant. Wastewater flow data was collected and the digested waste analyzed to find its calorific value. An appropriate sewage incineration plant design was identified. Projection of wastewater flow growth and parameters of the incineration plant were used to identify the energy recovery potential and financial feasibility of such a project. The selected incineration plant, when sized in accordance with the wastewater treatment plant in question, was self-sufficient in terms of its own energy needs but the net generation was small. Overall, the plant is considered worse than the current solution due to a negative net present value. However, it is recommended that a detailed technical, legal, resource and operational feasibility study be performed before any definite decision is made.