Emission characteristics of air pollutants based on the aging level, capacity, and incineration type of waste incineration facilities: A descriptive statistical approach
This study analyzed the emission characteristics of major air pollutants (dust, nitrogen oxides, hydrogen chloride, and carbon monoxide) emitted from domestic public waste incineration facilities based on their operating elements. Using automatic measuring equipment for smokestacks (TMS), data was collected from 97 facilities from 2015 to 2023. The emission source unit (kg/ton) was evaluated based on the facility’s capacity, aging level, and incineration type. Emissions were calculated, and descriptive statistical analysis was performed based on the mean, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation. As a result of the analysis, it was found that the larger the facility capacity, the lower the average emission and volatility, which suggests that the operational stability of large facilities is high. On the other hand, facilities that had deteriorated for 10 to 15 years had the highest emission rates, and emissions decreased in facilities that were aged more than 20 years. In addition, the pyrolysis and high-temperature melting incineration facilities had lower NOx and HCl emissions than the conventional incineration type. Furthermore, CO showed the greatest volatility overall, which was found to be particularly difficult to manage in facilities in the early to mid stages of aging. These results provide empirical evidence that the structural characteristics and incineration type of incineration facilities have a significant impact on air pollutant emissions and can serve as useful basic data for policy-making, including for implementing region-wide initiatives and planning major repairs in the future.