Energy Recovery from Waste Materials, with Particular Regard to the Feasibility of Producing High-Grade Insulating Granulates for Use in Building Materials by Means of Texturizing Processes

摘要

Industrial residues and wastes of various kinds and origins were examined for their content of residual energy in the form of organic materials or carbon, the utilization of which would contribute to the conversion of the residues or wastes, especially those of a clay-like or silicaceous nature, into light-weight, vitreous, granulated aggregates for the building and road-making industries, or into briquetted aggregates of high strength, either compact or porous in texture. Examples of such waste materials are municipal and domestic garbage, sewage sludge, colliery wastes, and fly-ash from coal-burning power stations. Laboratory tests showed that the origin of the wastes and the characteristics of the desired end-product have an important bearing on the conversion conditions required. Details are given of industrial conversion processes and the relevant plant, as well as of their economics and the possible need for supplementary energy. Application for the various types of product are suggested.