Ammonia emission characteristics and emission factor of municipal solid waste incineration plant

Abstract

This study aims to analyze whether ammonia emission occurs when municipal solid waste (MSW) is incinerated. In cases where ammonia is emitted, we aim to develop an emission factor, calculate annual emission amounts by utilizing activity data (waste incineration amount) applied in air pollutant emission calculations for the waste combustion in Korea, and investigate whether there is a need for emission calculation. As a result of the study, the ammonia emission factor of the MSW incineration facility to be studied was 0.0091 kg NH3/ton, which was 3 times higher than the emission factor in Europe. In the case of emissions, a randomly developed emission factor was applied to confirm the necessity of development of the emission factor, and as a result of the application, it was found to be 22 NH3 ton/year, which is the same number as the annual NH3 emission of the entire waste treatment sector in 2016. Therefore, we believe that MSW incinerator facilities should be recognized as one of the major NH3 omitted emission sources. Moreover, it is evident that there is a need for an NH3 emission factor and emission calculations that reflect the characteristics of Korea.