NUMERICAL SIMULATION AND ANALYSIS OF INCINERATED

PLASTIC FLUE GAS THROUGH AN ALUMINA FILTER DISK

Lucy T. Aehr 1,a, Virgilio Y. Abellana 1,b
1 Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of San Carlos-Talamban Campus,
Cebu City, Philippines 6000
a laehr@usc.edu.ph, b vabellana@usc.edu.ph

ABSTRACT
This numerical simulation aims to analyze the flue gas of Polyvinyl
Chloride. Ansys Fluent is used in the simulation and analysis. The flue
gas passes through the filter and pressure, mass and velocity contour are
generated. The simulation consists of three main sections. First would
be modelling where geometry is created. The model is composed of
three major bodies. Second Section is the generation of mesh. The
sectioning, identifying of zones is also included in this step. Lastly,
different properties of the flue gas are used as initial data to run the
simulation. The result shows that the minimum and maximum pressure
obtained by the flue gas to be -0.3 kPa and 7.42 kPa, respectively. The
velocity on the other hand stays almost the same all throughout the
flow. The mass flow rate shows an imbalance in mass during the
process. The initial mass flow rate 0.016547587 kg/s while the outlet is
-0.016548114 kg/s. Using the two mass flow rates, the net mass flow is
then -5.2734012x10-7 kg/s.
METHODOLOGY
START
Modelling
Generate Mesh
INTRODUCTION
Incineration is a thermal treatment process that is the most
widely used alternative for waste management with the aid of
combustion of both organic as well as inorganic solid wastes. It
is also considered one of the several waste-to-energy (WtE)
technologies, especially in countries that have foregone or
decreased the use of their landfilling. However, incineration
generates flue gas emissions that are threatening to the
environment and human health.
These emissions include dioxins, furans, mercury, and
Polychlorinated Biphenyls that are released into the atmosphere.
These gases pose threat to vegetation, human and animal health,
and the environment overall. Dioxins settle on crops and in our
waterways where they eventually enter our food and hence our
bodies. These dioxins are potentially lethal persistent organic
pollutants that can cause cancer and disrupt the thyroid and
respiratory systems. Due to this, both parties are apprehensive
regarding burning these plastics as a way to reduce the wastes
that the country has produced and is still producing despite the
efforts of different organizations. Moreover, the grave issue of
these toxic emissions caused the Philippines to have a national
incineration ban under the Clean Air Act.

Solver
RESULTS & DISCUSSIONS
Solution

Convergent?

RESULTS
Modelling

Pressure Contour
Meshing

Mass Imbalance
Solver and Solution
"Flux Report"
Assumptions:
Alumina filter is a porous media. Mass Flow Rate [kg/s]
The flow is laminar. -------------------------------- --------------------
The interactions between a inlet 0.016547587
porous medium and shock waves outlet -0.016548114
are not considered. ---------------- --------------------
Net -5.2734012e-07

CONCLUSIONS

The pressure distribution of the flow across the REACTION OF DIOXIN TO THE ALUMINA
geometry is mainly contributed by the sharp edges and
length of the porous zone. However, the fluid used in
the simulation is pure fluid thus large pressure
difference is likely to occur when solid particles will be
considered in actual experiment.
Since the mass flow rate is initially 0.016547587 kg/s
while the outlet is -0.016548114 and totals to -
5.2734012x10-7 kg/s, which is almost equal to zero.
Therefore, the simulation adheres to the mass
conservation where the net mass of a system should be Isobar of CL2 for Isobar of CL2 for
zero. Temperature less Temperature 470K-
than 470K 670K

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
For this study to be possible, the author would like to thank the following: first of all, the Department of Science and Technology – ERDT
for financing this study, next I would like to express my gratitude to the Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering,
especially the panelists during my proposal for their inputs in improving my manuscript, lastly to my friends and family for their moral
support.