The results of this study will help in the development and critical evaluation of models for the thermal destruction of solid organic wastes and will be used in the design and optimization of incinerators. The first part of this study involves the production of polymer particles of optimal properties which can be used for the development and critical evaluation of models of transport processes in the oxidation of the solid compounds. The particles will be produced spherical in shape and monodisperse by atomization of partially polymerized liquid precursors. In the second part of this study, the solid particles will be burned in devices such as an externally heated laminar flow reactor and a thermogravimetric analyzer. Time resolved measurements of the particle properties, gas composition, volatilization periods, and particle temperature will be conducted. The emphasis will be in investigating the temperature-time behavior of the solids under pyrolytic or oxidative atmospheres. By studying well characterized particles the intrinsic kinetics of combustion can be evaluated accurately. The proposed investigation is a fundamental study dealing with the combustion characteristics of plastics and other organic solid hazardous wastes, like adhesives and paints, that end up in the municipal waste streams. This work is based upon the development of polymers synthesized in the laboratory and tailored for the study of individual chemical and physical processes. The polymers will be similar to those used in the plastics industry (Polystyrene, acrylic, highly chlorinated hydrocarbons etc.) both thermoplastics and thermosets, in pure compound form or mixtures thereof.
