Implementation results

Applications of the Waste to energy (WTE) conversions:

I. Electricity

Electricity can be produced from waste through direct combustion and the released heat is utilized to produce steam to drive a turbine. This indirect generation has an efficiency level of about 15%-27% with modern plants reaching the higher end of the range. Incineration has a higher efficiency than gasification due to lower operating temperature, steam pressure and overall energy to run the plant.

II. Heat

The conventional method to generate heat from waste is through combustion or syngas, expended in a boiler system to produce steam. Technological advancements has made it possible to upgrade syngas to methane that can be injected in the gas network and utilized in domestic boilers.

III. Combined Heat and Power (CHP)

WtE plants can produce heat and power simultaneously using a CHP unit that raises the overall efficiency to up to 40%. In this context, the heat that is generated during electricity production is captured and utilized. A constant demand for the heat will yield the highest economic benefits and it depends on the location of the plant and the possibility to transfer the heat, for instance, industrial sites that utilize heat in their operations or district-heating systems that can send it to neighboring communities or commercial properties.

IV. Transport Fuels

WtE process can also generate fuels that can be utilized in the operation of transport vehicles. The syngas (combustible synthetic gas) produced by gasification and pyrolysis technologies can be consumed in vehicle engines if upgraded to bio-methane. Syngas can also be used to make synthetic diesel and jet fuel. Other fuels include hydrogen, ethanol and biodiesel.
Transport fuels can be also generated from biogas after the preparation process.