Lowering the incineration temperature of fishery waste to optimize the thermal decomposition of shells and spines

Abstract

A part of fishery waste, such as scallop or oyster shells, are utilized for fertilizer, feed, soil conditioner, or fishing ground preparations, and most of the shells from aquaculture residue are incinerated as general waste at or above 1000\xa0°C. This incineration requires a huge amount of fuel and cost. To utilize the products obtained by the processing, such as calcium oxide for heat storage materials, deodorants, or fungicide, lowering the incineration temperature is indispensable for cost reduction. In this research, we examined the possibility of lowering the incineration temperature. The thermal decomposition temperature of shells and spines can be lower than that of calcite reagent. This difference could be caused by the microstructures of the shells and spines. Adjustment of the particle size of shells during the firing can further reduce the reaction temperature and fuel needed.