How to Size an Incinerator: From Daily Tonnage to Chamber Design
Step 1 — Count what you actually burn. Start with real numbers: kg of waste per day, split between solids and liquids, and how many hours per day the unit will run. 600 kg/day over 8 hours is a 75 kg/h unit; the same tonnage over 6 hours needs 100 kg/h.
Step 2 — Calorific value decides chamber size and fuel. The waste calorific value (kcal/kg or MJ/kg) determines how much combustion volume the chamber needs and how much auxiliary fuel burn-out requires. High-moisture waste behaves completely differently from dry plastic — same tonnage, different furnace.
Step 3 — Chlorine and sulphur decide the gas train. Sulphur and chlorine content dictate whether an acid-gas scrubber is needed and what consumables it will use. Get a lab analysis if you can; a reasoned estimate from operations is acceptable for first sizing.
Step 4 — Duty cycle decides refractory life. Units intended for 24 h continuous running get refractory and burner packages rated for it. Frequent stop-start cycles are the single biggest killer of linings — decide your operating pattern before you buy, not after.
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