IAC network for composition of waste-incineration facility

Abstract

This research explores a prototypical interactive activation and competition (IAC) network to facilitate the selection of an appropriate facility combination for municipal solid waste incineration on the basis of characteristics of waste streams. Waste of types treatable with a specific facility combination was also evaluated. A prototypical IAC network was developed with a knowledge base constructed from five data sources: waste characteristics, air-pollution-control devices, pretreatment units, flue gas cooling types, and combustion-chamber types. Unlike a traditional database or a rule base, questions with incomplete information can be answered by the IAC network. This advantage greatly helps an engineer screen a sound facility combination for a specified waste stream with some degree of uncertainty. The prototype can be used also by a waste authority to preliminarily evaluate waste facility construction permit applications, by a novice engineer to learn the appropriate usage of a facility, and by an incinerator manager to preliminarily evaluate treatable waste.