Title:
Life Cycle Assessment of Waste to Energy Processes: Incineration and Anaerobic Digestion
Author(s):
Tawatsin, A
Document(s):
Paper
Poster
Abstract:
Municipal solid waste poses environmental and health risks to the community. In selecting methods to deal with the waste, environmental impacts considerations are important criteria. Environmentally sustainable waste management processes should also decrease greenhouse gases. Waste to energy (WtE) processes lessens the use of fossil fuels, reducing greenhouse gases. The research aims to assess the environmental impacts and energy recovery of WtE processes, specifically incineration (combustion of waste) and anaerobic digestion (AD) to select suitable options or any combinations thereof as part of an integrated waste management system for different locations and conditions by using life cycle assessment (LCA) method. WRATE (Waste and Resources Assessment Tool for the Environment) an LCA model is used to assess scenarios designed systematically. The study also varies other factors such as recycling schemes, recycling rates, household waste composition and population density. Results for an average urban area in both UK and Thailand confirm the need to reduce disposal of waste into landfills. The scenario with Incineration for heat recovery post collection recycling scheme and the combination scenario with Incineration for heat recovery and AD for vehicle fuel post collection recycling scheme lead the rankings for most energy recovery and less environmental impacts.
Keywords:
anaerobic digestion, combustion, energy, life cycle assessment (LCA), municipal solid waste (MSW), environmental impact
Topic:
Biomass Policies, Markets and Sustainability
Subtopic:
Environmental impacts of bioenergy
Event:
21st European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
5AV.2.5
Pages:
1848 - 1859
ISBN:
978-88-89407-53-0
Paper DOI:
10.5071/21stEUBCE2013-5AV.2.5
Price:
FREE
