EXERGY ANALYSIS OF WASTE TO ENERGY CONVERSION OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE

Abstract

Municipal solid waste (MSW) has been a menace due to rapid urbanization and uncontrolled population in India. MSW identified as the energy source and this energy is recovered through waste to energy conversion processes. It solves the dual problem of waste management and energy security. Waste to Energy (WTE) has become increasingly important. The feedstock dealt with here is municipal solid waste which is a liability to the present generation. Introduction to municipal solid waste, need for the waste to energy and typical waste to energy technology and exergy analysis has been discussed. Available literature and works so far done are thoroughly reviewed and objectives for future scope of work has been discussed. Plasma gasification model is developed based on Gibbs energy minimization method in Aspen Plus to simulate conversion process of MSW to syngas by plasma gasification process. Developed model is verified by using MSW feedstock and comparing the results with Zhang et al [3]. Using this model plasma gasification with air, steam and steam-air gasification are done and syngas yield and composition are tabulated. Exergy analysis for all three cases has been done and results are presented. Successful operation of WTE plants right in the middle of large cities testifies to the fact that gasification is the best technology. In this work, plasma gasification has been studied and results discussed.