Resource recovery for institutions : a technical, environmental and economic feasiblility analysis for the Oak Ridge National Laboratory

The purpose of this analysis is to examine resource recovery options for one institution, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, very closely and to make available the analysis procedure and findings to other institutions. A host of resource recovery options are identified: fiber recycling, refuse derived fuel (RDF) co-fired with coal, district heating connected to an incinerator with heat recovery and modular incineration. Recycling was found to save more energy than incineration, however at a substantial cost penalty. RDF requires a waste flow rate in excess of l00 tpD, experienced mechanics, extensive dust control equipment and a high operating and maintenance budget to maintain the refuse processing facility as well as the modified coal boiler. ORNL has a 6 TPD refuse load and another 2l TPD attainable from two other nearby Union Carbide owned facilities. A small modular incinerator facility with the capacity to burn about 1300 1b per hour, and located 2.5 miles from the main ORNL facility serving an isolated experimental facility, would have a likely payback of less than 7 years. The facility could import about 12 - 14 TPD from Y-12 and K-25, and operate 3 shifts per working day. The energy displacement would save about $260,000 per year or about 230,000 gallons of oil. A decision-risk analysis demonstrates how to quantify the risks involved in resource recovery for institutions and incorporate the perceived risks into the decision to invest in small scale resource recovery.