Centrifugal fan for small-scale waste-to-energy incineration plants

Project Background

This project involves a small-scale waste-to-energy system designed to process municipal solid waste and kitchen waste.

The facility comprises a waste incineration line with a daily processing capacity of 200 tonnes and a kitchen waste pre-treatment line with a daily capacity of 30 tonnes, equipped with a 1 MW back-pressure steam turbine generator set. It processes 73,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste and 10,950 tonnes of kitchen waste annually.

Unlike large-scale waste-to-energy plants that prioritize electricity generation, this project operates on a combined heat and power (CHP) model, where steam supply serves as the primary energy output and electricity generation as the secondary output.

For this type of waste incineration system, reliable air and flue gas handling is crucial, as it is essential for controlling the combustion process and maintaining negative pressure within the furnace.

Customer Requirements

The customer required a complete set of centrifugal fans for various stages of the waste incineration process.
A key requirement was not merely to supply fans with sufficient airflow capacity; each fan had to be precisely matched to specific process tasks, pressure requirements, temperature conditions, and system resistance.

The system addressed needs across the following areas:
● Combustion air supply
● Flue gas extraction
● Auxiliary combustion
● Equipment sealing
● High-temperature gas handling
● Among these, the requirements for the induced draft application were particularly stringent, involving design temperatures of up to 170°C.

SIMO BLOWER Solutions

Based on specific operating conditions and process requirements, SIMO supplied six centrifugal fans for this system.

These units handle the primary air and gas transport tasks for the waste incineration line.

Induced Draft Fan
1850SWB26D | 45672 m³/h | 8880 Pa | 170°C
The induced draft fan extracts flue gas from the incineration system and maintains the negative pressure required within the furnace (furnace draft).

Designed for an operating temperature of 170°C, this unit has the highest temperature resistance requirement of the entire system; the corresponding operating conditions were fully considered during its selection and design.

Primary Air Fan
1200SWB35D | 21980 m³/h | 4560 Pa | 75°C
The primary air fan supplies combustion-supporting air to the lower section of the incineration system to sustain the combustion process and meet air distribution requirements.

Secondary Air Fan
1050SWF19D | 8230 m³/h | 5760 Pa | 20°C
The secondary air fan supplies additional combustion-supporting air to enhance combustion and gas mixing within the furnace.

Combustion Fans
Two additional fans are provided to support combustion:
10,457 m³/h | 4,200 Pa | 20°C
3,002 m³/h | 4,200 Pa | 20°C
These fans meet the requirements of the burner and auxiliary combustion systems under the relevant operating conditions.

Sealing Fan
630SWF19D | 3,300 m³/h | 8,400 Pa | 20°C
The sealing fan supplies air for equipment sealing, helping to maintain the required sealing conditions during operation.

Focusing on the process flow rather than just the fans themselves

Waste-to-energy plants typically employ multiple centrifugal fans, yet their operating conditions often vary significantly.

Primary air fans, secondary air fans, and induced draft fans are not interchangeable; their performance requirements are dictated by their installation location, the medium being conveyed, and their integration with the rest of the system.

For this project, SIMO Blower tailored the fan systems to meet specific process requirements—covering everything from combustion air supply to the extraction of high-temperature flue gas.

This process-oriented design approach is particularly crucial when a plant integrates waste incineration, heat recovery, and power generation into a single system.

Engineering and Manufacturing

For waste-to-energy applications, SIMO Blower’s considerations extend far beyond basic fan models and rated capacities.

Project configurations address a range of specific requirements, such as:

Access for maintenance · Drainage · Sealing · Vibration monitoring · Temperature measurement · Corrosion protection

For high-temperature applications, the fan structure and associated components must be capable of withstanding specified operating temperatures and continuous duty cycles.

SIMO Blower manufactures industrial centrifugal fans tailored to the specific airflow, pressure, temperature, gas characteristics, and installation requirements of each project.

Centrifugal Fans for Waste-to-Energy Applications

In waste incineration projects, fan systems must operate in coordination with the incinerator, boiler, combustion system, and flue gas handling process.

SIMO Blower provides customized centrifugal fan solutions for the following sectors:

● Waste-to-Energy (WtE) power plants
● Waste incineration boilers
● Industrial waste treatment
● Biomass power generation
● High-temperature flue gas handling

Whether for a new WtE plant, a capacity upgrade, or a fan replacement project, proper fan selection begins with an analysis of actual process conditions.

Do you have requirements for a waste incineration or waste-to-energy project?

Please provide parameters such as airflow, pressure, temperature, and specific process requirements. SIMO Blower will assist you in evaluating and determining the optimal centrifugal fan configuration for your system.