Fossil carbon fraction of industrial waste incineration and optimal cycle for measurement

Abstract

This study aimed to measure the fossil carbon fraction in industrial waste incineration facilities to determine its characteristics and the optimal time cycle for measurement. The analysis of the fossil carbon fraction in the industrial waste incineration facilities in Korea showed that the fraction in industrial waste incineration facility A was in the range of 51.58–68.18%, while the fraction in industrial waste incineration facility B was in the range of 40.00–64.66%. In this study, it was shown that a non-parametric method of statistical analysis was most suitable for the data of fossil carbon fraction in the industrial waste incineration facilities. The Kruskal–Wallis test indicated the same distribution of the mean for the monthly, quarterly, semiannual, and annual data from both industrial waste incineration facilities, suggesting that the optimal cycle for measuring fossil carbon fraction in the industrial waste incineration facilities is the annual cycle, corresponding to the longest cycle for measurement. This study provided fundamental data of fossil carbon fraction in industrial waste incineration facilities that can be used as a reference for emission estimation. Additionally, the significance of the study includes suggesting a statistical method for determining the optimal cycle for the measurement of fossil carbon fraction and having determined the optimal cycle.