Energy Recovery From Refuse in the Kiel District Heating Station

The Kiel resource recovery facility proves that dependable waste disposal service can be combined with efficient energy recovery. During the first 8 yr of continuous operation, approximately 870,000 t of refuse were processed. By combusting this refuse, 1.9 million t of steam were generated for the commercial sale of district heat. Besides eliminating the need for conventional disposal by landfilling, the city avoided having to import 37 million gal of foreign oil. The facility’s key design aspects are outlined, but special emphasis is placed on the presentation and discussion of operating results. Extensive multi-year statistics are used to discuss both general and specific operating parameters. Particular consideration is given to energy conservation, environmental protection and economics.