Impact of Revamping on PM, NOX, and HCl Emissions in Municipal Solid Waste Incineration Facilities

Municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) facilities play a critical role in managing increasing waste volumes driven by urbanization and population growth, serving an essential function in environmental protection. However, many existing facilities face challenges due to aging infrastructure, struggling to meet stricter air pollution regulations or process waste efficiently. In particular, discrepancies between the design specifications for waste calorific values or composition and the current heterogeneous characteristics of waste have led to reduced operational efficiency.

Building new incineration facilities is often constrained by economic and social barriers. Consequently, the revamping of existing facilities has emerged as a practical solution to enhance operational performance. Revamping typically involves the integration of advanced air pollution control technologies and process optimization, aiming to reduce air pollutant emissions while improving waste treatment efficiency.

This study examines the impact of revamping on air pollutant emissions at municipal solid waste incineration facilities in major cities across South Korea. Using data collected between 2011 and 2023, we analyzed changes in the concentrations of key air pollutants, including particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NO_X), and hydrogen chloride (HCl), before and after refurbishments. Additionally, we evaluated the technological improvements implemented during the refurbishment process and their overall environmental benefits.

The analysis indicates that air pollutant concentrations decreased consistently after revamping, reflecting compliance with stricter environmental regulations and improved process efficiency. These findings provide critical insights for enhancing the operational efficiency of municipal solid waste incineration facilities and developing strategies to mitigate air pollution.

This study offers empirical evidence on the effectiveness of revamping in reducing air pollutant emissions, contributing to sustainable waste management practices and the development of informed environmental policies.

[Acknowledgement]

This research was supported by Particulate Matter Management Specialized Graduate Program through the Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute(KEITI) funded by the Ministry of Environment(MOE)