Exergy and Energy Analysis of Plasma Waste-to-power Generation Model

ABSTRACT

This research addresses three major problems currently affecting our globe. These problems are the pending energy crisis, the environmental degradation caused by an ever increasing growth of waste and the environmental degradation resulting from the continuous generation of greenhouse gas emissions.

In light of these problems, efforts are geared towards the development of a ‘one-stop’ solution. A preliminary survey of available technical data indicates that the three problems could be solved through the use of an efficient plasma gasification technology. The use of this plasma technology can simultaneously disintegrate waste while electrical power is generated and greenhouse gas emissions eliminated. The other two methods of converting biomass (waste) to heat energy, namely combustion and conventional gasification are also presented with the chemical composition of the three methods analyzed using thermochemical data to determine which of the three has the best optimum option for heat energy conversion and hence power generation.

An innovative aspect of this work is the analysis of the temperature effect on the chemical composition of the synthesis gas obtained from the plasma system (exergy analysis) and how its output affects the electrical energy generated.

Results show that when the plasma system is fed at about 1000 tons/day, maximum syngas and power is obtained. However, when more or less waste is fed to the plasma system, less syngas and power is obtained in both cases. It was also observed that more syngas and power were obtained at higher temperatures. This result suggests a standard capacity for building plasma systems because at the moment, there is none.