Roles of the influential parameters in the incineration process using centrality concept of graph theory

Abstract

The dioxin furan is byproducts of the incineration process in which becomes a major concern to the public. In this paper, the role of the influential parameters affecting the Dioxin Furan Emission (DFE) in the incineration process was discussed. A total of seven selected incinerators in Malaysia were considered in the study. The incineration plant was categorized into the type of waste incinerated during the process, i.e. sludge and biomedical waste. Six parameters comprise of temperature, nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide, carbon dioxide, oxygen and moisture content were identified as the influential parameters affecting the DFE of the incineration process. Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) models were initially developed to relate the DFE and the influential parameters in each category of incinerators. These models served as the basis for the construction of the graphical models representing the interaction of the influential parameters in the process. Centrality concept was then used on these graphical models to describe the role of the parameters in the process.