Municipal Solid Waste Management and Energy Recovery

Abstract

The contribution of this chapter is to deepen and widen existing knowledge on municipal solid waste (MSW) management by analyzing different energy recovery routes for MSW. The main aspects related to the composition of waste are addressed, as well as the technological routes for thermochemical and biochemical energy usage. Within the thermochemical route, incineration is currently the most utilized technology for energy recovery of waste, with generation of electricity and heat and also a decrease in the volume of the produced waste. Gasification and pyrolysis are alternatives for the production of chemical products from wastes. The biological route is an interesting alternative for the utilization of the organic fraction of MSW, as aerobic or anaerobic processes enable the production of biogas and of a compound that can be utilized as a fertilizer. Depending on the size of the population, composition of waste, and products to be obtained (energy or chemical), more than one technology can be combined for a better energy usage of waste.

Techno-Economic and Environmental Assessment for Biomethane Production and Cogeneration Scenarios From OFMSW In Mexico

“…This equation was modified by Boyle from the original equation for the resolution shown in Eqs. (1)(2)(3)(4), because values are required for nitrogen and sulfur as reactants, which are part of the reaction products of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide. The reactions are as follows:…”

“…On a global scale, 70% of municipal solid waste is deposited in landfills, 19% is recycled and only 11% is utilized in waste-to-energy conversion schemes and this occurs due to logistic and economic problems, such as shortage of primary fossil energy and volume restriction in landfills [1]. OFMSW generation in Mexico City is mora than 12,000 MT/day and 44% of the generated waste corresponds to OFMSW [2], estimating a yearly percentage of the main sectors: domiciliary (47.7%), commercial (15.4%), services (13.6%), markets (10.6%), Supply Central (4.6%), miscellaneous (5.1%) and controlled (3%) [3].…”