Name
Plasma gasification of wet organic refuse of MSW for sustainable energy recovery
Description

Globally, the organic fraction of MSW contributes 57 % of the municipal waste generated. Energy recovery from organic refuse in less time is essential for sustainable waste management and the circular economy. In this study, the organic refuse is analysed to evaluate its suitability as a feedstock for plasma gasification. The physicochemical properties, such as moisture content, volatile matter, ash content, and fixed carbon revealed as 42.80%, 33.90%, 15.20%, and 18.40%, respectively. Elemental analysis showed the presence of Carbon (48.81%), Hydrogen (6.80%), Oxygen (34.80%), and Nitrogen (1.16%). The material exhibited a higher heating value of 22.69 MJ/kg and a bulk density of 828.5 kg/m³, indicating good energy potential. Performance evaluation is conducted in an indigenous plasma gasification reactor operated at a steady feed rate of 10 kg/h. The resulting syngas composition included carbon monoxide (34.61%), carbon dioxide (5.76%), hydrogen (29.20%), methane (3.39%), and other gases. The syngas temperature is recorded as 136 °C.  The syngas yield reached 4.27 Nm³/kg with a calorific value of 4.14 MJ/Nm³. The process demonstrated a hot gas efficiency of 88.06% and an energy balance closure of 84.395%, indicating efficient energy recovery. This study promotes resource recovery, energy reuse, and carbon emission reduction, aligning with Net-Zero concept.

Authors
Gitanjali Jothiprakash, Edinburgh Napier University, Scotland
Ramesh Desikan and Subburamu Karthikeyan, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, India
Senthilarasu Sundaram, Teesside University, UK
Track
Posters