WTE systems

Pathways for Waste-to-Energy Conversion

WasteRecoveryThe conversion of waste-to-energy can proceed along three main pathways – thermochemical, biochemical and physicochemical. Thermochemical conversion, characterized by higher temperature and conversion rates, is best suited for lower moisture feedstock and is generally less selective for products. On the other hand, biochemical technologies are more suitable for wet wastes which are rich in organic matter.

Thermochemical Pathway

The three principal methods of thermochemical conversion are combustion in excess air, gasification in reduced air, and pyrolysis in the absence of air. The most common technique for producing both heat and electrical energy from wastes is direct combustion.

Combined heat and power (CHP) or cogeneration systems, ranging from small-scale technology to large grid-connected facilities, provide significantly higher efficiencies than systems that only generate electricity.

Combustion technology is the controlled combustion of waste with the recovery of heat to produce steam which in turn produces power through steam turbines. Pyrolysis and gasification represent refined thermal treatment methods as alternatives to incineration and are characterized by the transformation of the waste into product gas as energy carrier for later combustion in, for example, a boiler or a gas engine.

Biochemical Pathways

Biochemical processes, like anaerobic digestion, can also produce clean energy in the form of biogas which can be converted to power and heat using a gas engine. Anaerobic digestion is the natural biological process which stabilizes organic waste in the absence of air and transforms it into biofertilizer and biogas.

Anaerobic digestion is a reliable technology for the treatment of wet, organic waste.  Organic waste from various sources is biochemically degraded in highly controlled, oxygen-free conditions circumstances resulting in the production of biogas which can be used to produce both electricity and heat.

Biogas Flowchart
Advantages of Anaerobic Digestion Process

In addition, a variety of biofuels can be produced from waste resources including liquid fuels, such as ethanol, methanol, biodiesel, Fischer-Tropsch diesel, and gaseous fuels, such as hydrogen and methane. The resource base for biofuel production is composed of a wide variety of forestry and agricultural resources, industrial processing residues, and municipal solid and urban wood residues. Globally, biofuels are most commonly used to power vehicles, heat homes, and for cooking.

Physico-chemical Pathway

The physico-chemical technology involves various processes to improve physical and chemical properties of solid waste. The combustible fraction of the waste is converted into high-energy fuel pellets which may be used in steam generation.

The waste is first dried to bring down the high moisture levels. Sand, grit, and other incombustible matter were then mechanically separated before the waste is compacted and converted into pellets or RDF.

Fuel pellets have several distinct advantages over coal and wood because it is cleaner, free from incombustibles, has lower ash and moisture contents, is of uniform size, cost-effective, and eco-friendly.

Salman Zafar

Originally posted 2014-12-06 21:09:07. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

3 thoughts on “Pathways for Waste-to-Energy Conversion

  1. ENVIRONMENT – protection is not the subject of few individuals who are constantly and seriously working on it as a career. It is the subject of every individual on this planet earth. Nature has been given to us (the people living on this earth ) as a gift by God Almighty. The Mountains, The forests, The rivers, The trees, The animal / birds kingdom, The flora, The fauna, the seas, The fish … The Seasons, Summer, Rainy, Winter, Autumn, Spring.. The early morning dew, The tiny droplets of rain suspending from air, The mystical colorful rainbow creating a bridge from east to west on the skies, everything is fabulous. We cannot even imagine how these were made. We just have to enjoy them being a part of them. we have not right to pollute or destroy them.
    We have to handle with care, enjoy the fruits and hand it over to our next generation in a safe mode such that they too can enjoy and subsequently pass it on to their children.

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