Efficient Combustion Support Solution for Waste-to-Energy Plants – PolyScience PSA Oxygen Generators

I. Pain Points and the Arrival of Oxygen Concentrators

When municipal waste is sent into incinerators—seemingly turning "waste into treasure"—two major challenges lurk beneath the surface: incomplete combustion, leading to pollutant emissions and energy loss, and inefficient use of energy. In conventional air-assisted combustion systems, nitrogen accounts for as much as 78% of the air supply, which not only dilutes oxygen levels but also carries away significant amounts of heat. At the same time, this process increases the risk of generating harmful pollutants such as dioxins, CO, and NOₓ.

The emergence of Juke's oxygen generators is akin to equipping incinerators with an "oxygen supply system." Among these, Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) oxygen-generation technology has become the mainstream choice for waste-to-energy plants, thanks to its efficiency and flexibility. At its core, PSA works by selectively adsorbing and desorbing oxygen and nitrogen from air under varying pressures, effectively separating oxygen from the mixture to produce industrial-grade oxygen with a purity level of 90%–95%. This tailored oxygen supply ensures optimal support for the incineration process.

II. Three Core Application Scenarios

1. Oxygen-enriched combustion

This is the oxygen generator's most critical application scenario. The high-purity oxygen produced by the PSA oxygen generator is proportionally mixed into the combustion-supporting air via a secondary air system, then delivered directly into the incinerator furnace, thereby instantly boosting the local oxygen concentration inside the furnace.

Solving the Burning Challenge: Waste composition is complex (a mix of food scraps, plastics, textiles, and more), and traditional air-assisted combustion often leads to "localized oxygen deficiency," resulting in incomplete burning and high residual carbon content in the ash and slag. In contrast, an oxygen-rich environment optimizes ignition conditions, enabling waste to burn thoroughly at high temperatures, while simultaneously promoting complete melting and volume reduction of the ash and slag—achieving a near-100% reduction in volume.

Inhibit pollutant formation: The combined effects of high temperature and abundant oxygen can completely decompose toxic organic gases like dioxins, while simultaneously reducing the emission concentrations of CO, NOₓ, and SO₂. More importantly, oxygen-enriched combustion eliminates the need to co-fire fossil fuels such as coal or oil, thereby cutting down on both additional pollution and associated cost inputs right from the source.

Enhance energy utilization: Reduce the excess air coefficient (without introducing large amounts of air), lower the flue gas temperature, and prevent heat from being unnecessarily carried away by nitrogen—allowing more thermal energy to be converted into steam, thereby increasing power generation.

2. Flue Gas Treatment Coordination

The flue gas produced from waste incineration must undergo multiple stages of purification before being released, and oxygen generators can also play a synergistic role in this process:

Some oxygen can be introduced into the flue gas denitration and desulfurization systems to enhance catalyst activity and improve pollutant removal efficiency.

By integrating a recirculation air system (which returns flue gas to the primary fan), the oxygen produced by the oxygen generator can replenish the oxygen content in the recirculated air, creating a closed-loop process of "combustion - purification - recirculation," thereby further reducing exhaust emissions.

3. Ensure Stable System Operation

Waste-to-energy plants often face operational challenges such as fluctuations in waste composition and variations in processing volumes—making the oxygen generator's flexible adjustment capability crucial.

The PSA oxygen generator's load range can be flexibly adjusted between 30% and 100%, with oxygen production capacities ranging from 10 Nm³/h to 5,000 Nm³/h, enabling rapid adaptation to the operational status of incinerators of various scales.

The equipment takes only 10–15 minutes to start up, features a high degree of automation, and can be seamlessly integrated with the incineration system for coordinated control. Oxygen production is adjusted in real time via the PLC control system, ensuring stable combustion during furnace startup and shutdown—and preventing pollution levels from exceeding standards due to operational fluctuations.

3. Why Choose a PSA Oxygen Concentrator?

In waste incineration scenarios, PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) oxygen generation technology stands out due to its core advantages:

Reasonable energy consumption : Oxygen generators have low power consumption and, compared to cryogenic air separation technology, do not require a complex refrigeration system. With moderate upfront investment costs, they are better suited to meet the oxygen needs of waste-to-energy plants of various scales.

High safety: The equipment occupies a small footprint and can be installed near the incinerator, minimizing losses and risks during oxygen delivery. When paired with soundproofing devices, it operates quietly, meeting the power plant's environmental protection requirements.

Highly adaptable : The equipment is easy to maintain, and the project construction period is short—typically taking just 1 to 3 months from start to production. It has already been successfully applied and verified in multiple waste-to-energy projects across the country, as well as in the auxiliary oxygen supply systems of several large-scale projects.

4. Winning Both Environmental Protection and Economic Benefits

The application of oxygen generators in waste-to-energy plants essentially leverages "oxygen supply" to drive a dual upgrade: "environmental protection + energy conservation." Not only does this technology address the industry's longstanding pain points—such as "incomplete combustion and difficult-to-control pollution"—but it also enhances energy efficiency, reduces reliance on fossil fuels, and ultimately achieves a win-win outcome by delivering both environmental and economic benefits.

As environmental standards become increasingly stringent, efficient and eco-friendly technologies like PSA oxygen generators will become the "standard equipment" for the waste-to-energy industry. Whether serving as the primary oxygen supply for small- to medium-sized waste incineration plants or providing auxiliary oxygen support for large-scale projects, these technologies will play a critical role in helping cities achieve true "harmless, reduced-volume, and resource-based" waste management—and ultimately fueling sustainable green development.