Gasification of municipal refuse-derived fuel as an alternative to waste disposal: Process efficiency and thermochemical analysis

This is the first study to investigate the use of municipal refuse-derived fuel for gasification in pilot plant scale aiming at urban waste treatment and energy generation. Energy and mass balances were applied to the thermochemical reactor based on the experimental data obtained during pilot scale operation to calculate thermal efficiency associated to the process. Volumetric composition, lower heating value, and density of the resulting syngas were determined using calorimetric tests and chromatographic analyses. The pilot plant gasification system processed 7.1 tonnes day?1 of municipal refuse-derived fuel producing 16.9 tonnes day?1 of syngas with a lower heating value of 4.6 MJ kg?1, along with 26 wt.% ash. No tar was generated during the process. According to results of this study, the pilot plant is able to generate sufficient electricity for nearly 800 small houses if connected to a steam power cycle. Pollutants emitted from syngas combustion (performed by accredited agencies) were analyzed and levels were below legal standards established in Brazil and in the United States, thus demonstrating the feasibility of this technology for conversion of municipal solid waste into a renewable energy source. ? 2021 Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.