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Incineration

Environmental Engineering · FE Reference Handbook section

Environmental Engineering
9 formulas
10 exam-style examples
~60 min
All Environmental Engineering lectures

Core formulas for this FE topic

Definitions, applicability, units, assumptions and worked examples for each relation.

Worked exam-style examples

The four ways this section is written on the real exam — thoughts first, then equations, then substitution.

Example 1
Incineration (DRE) — solve for destruction and removal efficiency — Incineration

hazardous waste incineration destruction and removal efficiency requirement Given mass fed to incinerator (W_in) = 181.0 kg/hr; mass emitted in stack (W_out) = 1.3300 kg/hr, determine the destruction and removal efficiency (DRE) in %.

Given

  • massfedtoincinerator(Win)=181.0kg/hrmass fed to incinerator (W_in) = 181.0 kg/hr
  • massemittedinstack(Wout)=1.3300kg/hrmass emitted in stack (W_out) = 1.3300 kg/hr

Find

destruction and removal efficiency (DRE), in %

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Incineration (DRE).
  • Everything except DRE is given, so isolate DRE symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Incineration performance is measured by the destruction and removal efficiency (DRE) of hazardous waste feed.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    DRE=Win−WoutWin×100DRE = \dfrac{W_{in} - W_{out}}{W_{in}} \times 100
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for DRE:

    DRE=Win−WoutWin×100DRE = \dfrac{W_{in}-W_{out}}{W_{in}}\times 100
  3. Step 3 — List the givens: mass fed to incinerator (W_in) = 181.0 kg/hr, mass emitted in stack (W_out) = 1.3300 kg/hr.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values:

    DRE=181.0−1.3300181.0×100DRE = \dfrac{181.0-1.3300}{181.0}\times 100
  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    DRE = 99.2652\ \text{%}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning DRE = 99.2652 % to

    DRE=Win−WoutWin×100DRE = \dfrac{W_{in} - W_{out}}{W_{in}} \times 100

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
DRE = 99.2652\ \text{%}

Why the other options are there

  • 198.5 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 49.6326 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 109.2 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Incineration, Destruction and Removal Efficiency

Example 2
Incineration (DRE) — solve for mass emitted in stack — Incineration (2)

incineration DRE calculation from feed rate and stack emission rate Given mass fed to incinerator (W_in) = 109.0 kg/hr; destruction and removal efficiency (DRE) = 97.6200 %, determine the mass emitted in stack (W_out) in kg/hr.

Given

  • massfedtoincinerator(Win)=109.0kg/hrmass fed to incinerator (W_in) = 109.0 kg/hr
  • destructionandremovalefficiency(DRE)=97.6200destruction and removal efficiency (DRE) = 97.6200 %

Find

mass emitted in stack (W_out), in kg/hr

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Incineration (DRE).
  • Everything except W_out is given, so isolate W_out symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Incineration performance is measured by the destruction and removal efficiency (DRE) of hazardous waste feed.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    DRE=Win−WoutWin×100DRE = \dfrac{W_{in} - W_{out}}{W_{in}} \times 100
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for W_out:

    Wout=Win(1−DRE100)W_{out} = W_{in}\left(1-\dfrac{DRE}{100}\right)
  3. Step 3 — List the givens: mass fed to incinerator (W_in) = 109.0 kg/hr, destruction and removal efficiency (DRE) = 97.6200 %.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values:

    Wout=109.0(1−97.6200100)W_{out} = 109.0\left(1-\dfrac{97.6200}{100}\right)
  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    Wout=2.5942 kg/hrW_{out} = 2.5942\ \text{kg/hr}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning W_out = 2.5942 kg/hr to

    DRE=Win−WoutWin×100DRE = \dfrac{W_{in} - W_{out}}{W_{in}} \times 100

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
Wout=2.5942 kg/hrW_{out} = 2.5942\ \text{kg/hr}

Why the other options are there

  • 5.1884 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 1.2971 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 2.8536 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Incineration, Destruction and Removal Efficiency

Example 3
Incineration (DRE) — solve for mass fed to incinerator — Incineration (3)

incinerator DRE demonstration for regulatory compliance Given mass emitted in stack (W_out) = 1.1830 kg/hr; destruction and removal efficiency (DRE) = 90.9520 %, determine the mass fed to incinerator (W_in) in kg/hr.

Given

  • massemittedinstack(Wout)=1.1830kg/hrmass emitted in stack (W_out) = 1.1830 kg/hr
  • destructionandremovalefficiency(DRE)=90.9520destruction and removal efficiency (DRE) = 90.9520 %

Find

mass fed to incinerator (W_in), in kg/hr

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Incineration (DRE).
  • Everything except W_in is given, so isolate W_in symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Incineration performance is measured by the destruction and removal efficiency (DRE) of hazardous waste feed.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    DRE=Win−WoutWin×100DRE = \dfrac{W_{in} - W_{out}}{W_{in}} \times 100
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for W_in:

    Win=Wout1−DRE100W_{in} = \dfrac{W_{out}}{1-\dfrac{DRE}{100}}
  3. Step 3 — List the givens: mass emitted in stack (W_out) = 1.1830 kg/hr, destruction and removal efficiency (DRE) = 90.9520 %.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values:

    Win=1.18301−90.9520100W_{in} = \dfrac{1.1830}{1-\dfrac{90.9520}{100}}
  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    Win=13.0747 kg/hrW_{in} = 13.0747\ \text{kg/hr}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning W_in = 13.0747 kg/hr to

    DRE=Win−WoutWin×100DRE = \dfrac{W_{in} - W_{out}}{W_{in}} \times 100

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
Win=13.0747 kg/hrW_{in} = 13.0747\ \text{kg/hr}

Why the other options are there

  • 26.1494 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 6.5374 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 14.3822 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Incineration, Destruction and Removal Efficiency

Example 4
Incineration (DRE) — solve for destruction and removal efficiency (case 2) — Incineration (4)

hazardous waste incineration destruction and removal efficiency requirement Given mass fed to incinerator (W_in) = 467.0 kg/hr; mass emitted in stack (W_out) = 1.2380 kg/hr, determine the destruction and removal efficiency (DRE) in %.

Given

  • massfedtoincinerator(Win)=467.0kg/hrmass fed to incinerator (W_in) = 467.0 kg/hr
  • massemittedinstack(Wout)=1.2380kg/hrmass emitted in stack (W_out) = 1.2380 kg/hr

Find

destruction and removal efficiency (DRE), in %

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Incineration (DRE).
  • Everything except DRE is given, so isolate DRE symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Incineration performance is measured by the destruction and removal efficiency (DRE) of hazardous waste feed.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    DRE=Win−WoutWin×100DRE = \dfrac{W_{in} - W_{out}}{W_{in}} \times 100
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for DRE:

    DRE=Win−WoutWin×100DRE = \dfrac{W_{in}-W_{out}}{W_{in}}\times 100
  3. Step 3 — List the givens: mass fed to incinerator (W_in) = 467.0 kg/hr, mass emitted in stack (W_out) = 1.2380 kg/hr.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values:

    DRE=467.0−1.2380467.0×100DRE = \dfrac{467.0-1.2380}{467.0}\times 100
  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    DRE = 99.7349\ \text{%}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning DRE = 99.7349 % to

    DRE=Win−WoutWin×100DRE = \dfrac{W_{in} - W_{out}}{W_{in}} \times 100

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
DRE = 99.7349\ \text{%}

Why the other options are there

  • 199.5 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 49.8675 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 109.7 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Incineration, Destruction and Removal Efficiency

Example 5
Incineration (DRE) — solve for mass emitted in stack (case 2) — Incineration (5)

incineration DRE calculation from feed rate and stack emission rate Given mass fed to incinerator (W_in) = 702.0 kg/hr; destruction and removal efficiency (DRE) = 91.5700 %, determine the mass emitted in stack (W_out) in kg/hr.

Given

  • massfedtoincinerator(Win)=702.0kg/hrmass fed to incinerator (W_in) = 702.0 kg/hr
  • destructionandremovalefficiency(DRE)=91.5700destruction and removal efficiency (DRE) = 91.5700 %

Find

mass emitted in stack (W_out), in kg/hr

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Incineration (DRE).
  • Everything except W_out is given, so isolate W_out symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Incineration performance is measured by the destruction and removal efficiency (DRE) of hazardous waste feed.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    DRE=Win−WoutWin×100DRE = \dfrac{W_{in} - W_{out}}{W_{in}} \times 100
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for W_out:

    Wout=Win(1−DRE100)W_{out} = W_{in}\left(1-\dfrac{DRE}{100}\right)
  3. Step 3 — List the givens: mass fed to incinerator (W_in) = 702.0 kg/hr, destruction and removal efficiency (DRE) = 91.5700 %.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values:

    Wout=702.0(1−91.5700100)W_{out} = 702.0\left(1-\dfrac{91.5700}{100}\right)
  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    Wout=59.1786 kg/hrW_{out} = 59.1786\ \text{kg/hr}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning W_out = 59.1786 kg/hr to

    DRE=Win−WoutWin×100DRE = \dfrac{W_{in} - W_{out}}{W_{in}} \times 100

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
Wout=59.1786 kg/hrW_{out} = 59.1786\ \text{kg/hr}

Why the other options are there

  • 118.4 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 29.5893 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 65.0965 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Incineration, Destruction and Removal Efficiency

Example 6
Incineration (DRE) — solve for mass fed to incinerator (case 2) — Incineration (6)

incinerator DRE demonstration for regulatory compliance Given mass emitted in stack (W_out) = 4.2810 kg/hr; destruction and removal efficiency (DRE) = 91.1820 %, determine the mass fed to incinerator (W_in) in kg/hr.

Given

  • massemittedinstack(Wout)=4.2810kg/hrmass emitted in stack (W_out) = 4.2810 kg/hr
  • destructionandremovalefficiency(DRE)=91.1820destruction and removal efficiency (DRE) = 91.1820 %

Find

mass fed to incinerator (W_in), in kg/hr

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Incineration (DRE).
  • Everything except W_in is given, so isolate W_in symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Incineration performance is measured by the destruction and removal efficiency (DRE) of hazardous waste feed.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    DRE=Win−WoutWin×100DRE = \dfrac{W_{in} - W_{out}}{W_{in}} \times 100
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for W_in:

    Win=Wout1−DRE100W_{in} = \dfrac{W_{out}}{1-\dfrac{DRE}{100}}
  3. Step 3 — List the givens: mass emitted in stack (W_out) = 4.2810 kg/hr, destruction and removal efficiency (DRE) = 91.1820 %.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values:

    Win=4.28101−91.1820100W_{in} = \dfrac{4.2810}{1-\dfrac{91.1820}{100}}
  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    Win=48.5484 kg/hrW_{in} = 48.5484\ \text{kg/hr}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning W_in = 48.5484 kg/hr to

    DRE=Win−WoutWin×100DRE = \dfrac{W_{in} - W_{out}}{W_{in}} \times 100

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
Win=48.5484 kg/hrW_{in} = 48.5484\ \text{kg/hr}

Why the other options are there

  • 97.0968 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 24.2742 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 53.4033 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Incineration, Destruction and Removal Efficiency

Example 7
Incineration (DRE) — solve for destruction and removal efficiency (case 3) — Incineration (7)

hazardous waste incineration destruction and removal efficiency requirement Given mass fed to incinerator (W_in) = 700.0 kg/hr; mass emitted in stack (W_out) = 3.7600 kg/hr, determine the destruction and removal efficiency (DRE) in %.

Given

  • massfedtoincinerator(Win)=700.0kg/hrmass fed to incinerator (W_in) = 700.0 kg/hr
  • massemittedinstack(Wout)=3.7600kg/hrmass emitted in stack (W_out) = 3.7600 kg/hr

Find

destruction and removal efficiency (DRE), in %

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Incineration (DRE).
  • Everything except DRE is given, so isolate DRE symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Incineration performance is measured by the destruction and removal efficiency (DRE) of hazardous waste feed.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    DRE=Win−WoutWin×100DRE = \dfrac{W_{in} - W_{out}}{W_{in}} \times 100
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for DRE:

    DRE=Win−WoutWin×100DRE = \dfrac{W_{in}-W_{out}}{W_{in}}\times 100
  3. Step 3 — List the givens: mass fed to incinerator (W_in) = 700.0 kg/hr, mass emitted in stack (W_out) = 3.7600 kg/hr.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values:

    DRE=700.0−3.7600700.0×100DRE = \dfrac{700.0-3.7600}{700.0}\times 100
  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    DRE = 99.4629\ \text{%}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning DRE = 99.4629 % to

    DRE=Win−WoutWin×100DRE = \dfrac{W_{in} - W_{out}}{W_{in}} \times 100

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
DRE = 99.4629\ \text{%}

Why the other options are there

  • 198.9 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 49.7314 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 109.4 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Incineration, Destruction and Removal Efficiency

Example 8
Incineration (DRE) — solve for mass emitted in stack (case 3) — Incineration (8)

incineration DRE calculation from feed rate and stack emission rate Given mass fed to incinerator (W_in) = 993.0 kg/hr; destruction and removal efficiency (DRE) = 96.3690 %, determine the mass emitted in stack (W_out) in kg/hr.

Given

  • massfedtoincinerator(Win)=993.0kg/hrmass fed to incinerator (W_in) = 993.0 kg/hr
  • destructionandremovalefficiency(DRE)=96.3690destruction and removal efficiency (DRE) = 96.3690 %

Find

mass emitted in stack (W_out), in kg/hr

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Incineration (DRE).
  • Everything except W_out is given, so isolate W_out symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Incineration performance is measured by the destruction and removal efficiency (DRE) of hazardous waste feed.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    DRE=Win−WoutWin×100DRE = \dfrac{W_{in} - W_{out}}{W_{in}} \times 100
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for W_out:

    Wout=Win(1−DRE100)W_{out} = W_{in}\left(1-\dfrac{DRE}{100}\right)
  3. Step 3 — List the givens: mass fed to incinerator (W_in) = 993.0 kg/hr, destruction and removal efficiency (DRE) = 96.3690 %.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values:

    Wout=993.0(1−96.3690100)W_{out} = 993.0\left(1-\dfrac{96.3690}{100}\right)
  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    Wout=36.0558 kg/hrW_{out} = 36.0558\ \text{kg/hr}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning W_out = 36.0558 kg/hr to

    DRE=Win−WoutWin×100DRE = \dfrac{W_{in} - W_{out}}{W_{in}} \times 100

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
Wout=36.0558 kg/hrW_{out} = 36.0558\ \text{kg/hr}

Why the other options are there

  • 72.1117 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 18.0279 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 39.6614 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Incineration, Destruction and Removal Efficiency

Example 9
Incineration (DRE) — solve for mass fed to incinerator (case 3) — Incineration (9)

incinerator DRE demonstration for regulatory compliance Given mass emitted in stack (W_out) = 0.9930 kg/hr; destruction and removal efficiency (DRE) = 98.0830 %, determine the mass fed to incinerator (W_in) in kg/hr.

Given

  • massemittedinstack(Wout)=0.9930kg/hrmass emitted in stack (W_out) = 0.9930 kg/hr
  • destructionandremovalefficiency(DRE)=98.0830destruction and removal efficiency (DRE) = 98.0830 %

Find

mass fed to incinerator (W_in), in kg/hr

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Incineration (DRE).
  • Everything except W_in is given, so isolate W_in symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Incineration performance is measured by the destruction and removal efficiency (DRE) of hazardous waste feed.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    DRE=Win−WoutWin×100DRE = \dfrac{W_{in} - W_{out}}{W_{in}} \times 100
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for W_in:

    Win=Wout1−DRE100W_{in} = \dfrac{W_{out}}{1-\dfrac{DRE}{100}}
  3. Step 3 — List the givens: mass emitted in stack (W_out) = 0.9930 kg/hr, destruction and removal efficiency (DRE) = 98.0830 %.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values:

    Win=0.99301−98.0830100W_{in} = \dfrac{0.9930}{1-\dfrac{98.0830}{100}}
  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    Win=51.7997 kg/hrW_{in} = 51.7997\ \text{kg/hr}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning W_in = 51.7997 kg/hr to

    DRE=Win−WoutWin×100DRE = \dfrac{W_{in} - W_{out}}{W_{in}} \times 100

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
Win=51.7997 kg/hrW_{in} = 51.7997\ \text{kg/hr}

Why the other options are there

  • 103.6 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 25.8998 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 56.9797 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Incineration, Destruction and Removal Efficiency

Example 10
Incineration (DRE) — solve for destruction and removal efficiency (case 4) — Incineration (10)

hazardous waste incineration destruction and removal efficiency requirement Given mass fed to incinerator (W_in) = 764.0 kg/hr; mass emitted in stack (W_out) = 2.1890 kg/hr, determine the destruction and removal efficiency (DRE) in %.

Given

  • massfedtoincinerator(Win)=764.0kg/hrmass fed to incinerator (W_in) = 764.0 kg/hr
  • massemittedinstack(Wout)=2.1890kg/hrmass emitted in stack (W_out) = 2.1890 kg/hr

Find

destruction and removal efficiency (DRE), in %

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Incineration (DRE).
  • Everything except DRE is given, so isolate DRE symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Incineration performance is measured by the destruction and removal efficiency (DRE) of hazardous waste feed.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    DRE=Win−WoutWin×100DRE = \dfrac{W_{in} - W_{out}}{W_{in}} \times 100
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for DRE:

    DRE=Win−WoutWin×100DRE = \dfrac{W_{in}-W_{out}}{W_{in}}\times 100
  3. Step 3 — List the givens: mass fed to incinerator (W_in) = 764.0 kg/hr, mass emitted in stack (W_out) = 2.1890 kg/hr.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values:

    DRE=764.0−2.1890764.0×100DRE = \dfrac{764.0-2.1890}{764.0}\times 100
  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    DRE = 99.7135\ \text{%}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning DRE = 99.7135 % to

    DRE=Win−WoutWin×100DRE = \dfrac{W_{in} - W_{out}}{W_{in}} \times 100

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
DRE = 99.7135\ \text{%}

Why the other options are there

  • 199.4 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 49.8567 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 109.7 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Incineration, Destruction and Removal Efficiency

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