The Evaluation and Optimization of a Decentralized Incineration Facility for Animal By-Products: Performance, Cost Analysis and Resource Recovery

In this study, a decentralized incineration facility was evaluated over a three-year period, focusing on performance aspects, such as the burning rate, ash production, fuel and electricity consumption, and ash composition, while processing animal by-products (ABPs). The total cost for ABP incineration was determined to be EUR 159 t−1 ABP, with the major components being capital depreciation (42%), maintenance expenditures (26%), labor (18%), and transportation costs (9%). Liquified petroleum gas consumption ranged from 3 to 7 kg t−1, while electricity use was between 15 and 20 kWh t−1 incinerated ABP. The incineration process generated 7–10% (by weight) ABP ash, which was characterized by high calcium and phosphorus contents and low levels of hazardous trace elements. Leaching tests demonstrated the potential for recovering an alkaline supernatant for flue gas treatment and a phosphorus-rich slurry for fertilizer production. The findings suggest that energy recovery and valorization are crucial for minimizing the operational costs and the environmental impact, emphasizing the benefits of integrating advanced resource recovery techniques in ABP incineration facilities.