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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Tacoma Refuse Fired Combustor Study for the City of Tacoma, Washington

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6258118· OSTI ID:6258118

The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of using refuse-derived fuel and other waste fuels to fire a central energy plant to meet the heating and cooling needs of the Central Business District of Tacoma, with the possibility of marketing steam and/or electricity as a by-product. The study entailed examination of: the existing conditions; site selection; area waste availability; steam and hot water demands; the technical, environmental, and economic aspects of such a heating plant; conceptual design; overall feasibility studies; and financing, implementation and operation plans. It was the conclusion of the Tacoma Refuse Fired Combustor Study that an agreement be negotiated with the St. Regis Paper Company, Lumber and Plywood Division to furnish steam to the district heating system. If this cannot be accomplished, the construction of a central energy plant burning waste-type fuels is technically viable, but economic feasibility is dependent upon supplementing the central business district (CBD) heating load with the industrial steam load of the St. Regis Company. If equitable negotiations cannot be completed with St. Regis and the City of Tacoma, the CBD heating load would be served more cost effectively with individual electric boilers. (LCL)

Research Organization:
Durham, Anderson, Freed/HDR, Seattle, WA (USA)
OSTI ID:
6258118
Report Number(s):
RLO-1053-T1
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English