Trommel Screen Research and Development for Applications in Resource Recovery

摘要

The utility of the trommel as a separation device for processing municipal solid waste (MSW) was evaluated by way of theory and of data collected in field tests with experimental units. Considerations in the analytical approach were the dynamics of particles moving through the screen and their interaction with the screen surface. Governing equations were developed to describe particle motion and rate of screening, efficiency of the screening device, the properties of output streams. Fundamental parameters were defined that characterize the trommeling process and permit an evaluation of trommel performance under various operating conditions. Unshredded (raw) MSW and the light fraction of air classified MSW were examined as feedstocks for trommeling when the primary objective of the screening is the recovery of high quality refuse derived fuel (RDF). Additionally, other processing objectives (e.g., glass breakage, aluminum separation) were considered. The mathematical phase of the study culminated in the development of a computer model that simulates the trommeling process. Information gained in the study was used to develop design guidelines and methodologies for evaluating the application of trommeling to solid waste processing, as well as for the optimization of trommel geometry and of processing strategies that involve trommeling. (ERA citation 07:047287)