Title: Environmental appraisal for refuse derived fuel (from MSW generated in Mumbai) utilisation as co-fuel in energy recovery processes: a preliminary assessment

Authors: Deepak Kumar Singhal; Anurag Garg

Addresses: Centre for Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai, 400076, India ' Centre for Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai, 400076, India

Abstract: Municipal solid waste (MSW) management is a major concern in developing countries. Generally, MSW from these countries has higher moisture content and lower heating value compared to the developed countries. Landfilling is a dominant disposal method for MSW in India which needs to be avoided due to increasing land scarcity. As an alternative, the energy recovery from the segregated MSW combustible fraction along with the biological treatment of food and yard wastes can be a potential proposition. Energy recovery from waste can not only facilitate in meeting the energy requirements but also reduce the net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and divert the waste from landfills. In this paper, an effort was made to estimate the refuse derived fuel (RDF) quantities and characteristics from MSW generated in Mumbai after sorting. In the preliminary calculations, the impacts on the environment and fuel cost savings from co-combustion of RDF in energy intensive industries were estimated.

Keywords: co-fuels; energy from waste; greenhouse gases; GHJ emissions; municipal solid waste; MSW; refuse derived fuel; mechanical pre-treatment; waste management; environmental appraisal; India; energy recovery; developing countries; fuel cost savings.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2015.068942

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2015 Vol.15 No.2, pp.186 - 200

Accepted: 27 Oct 2014
Published online: 09 May 2015 *

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