Waste to Energy Technology

Plasma Arcs, Plasma Gasification, Waste To Energy, Waste To Resources Add comments

As a pure waste-to-energy technology, the TVRC competes with mass burn incinerators, anaerobic digesters as well as traditional gasification systems within the MSW marketplace. While mass burn incinerators are the most popular still to this day, they generate significant amounts of fly ash, which in the near term could become even more expensive to treat as in June 2010, the US EPA started to consider classifying fly ash (CCRs) as a hazardous waste. Should this be the final directive, it will significantly impact how fly ash is ultimately handled.

While MSW applications have started to emerge using gasification, it is important to note that a significant amount of sorting and pre-treatment is required in order to make the feedstock more uniform in nature to maintain the steady flow and composition of the syngas generated. Additionally, the TVRC generates electricity at a much lower cost.

Technology Capital Cost per MW
Plasma Gasification ~ $6.5+MM/MW
Traditional Gasification ~ $5+ MM/MW
Anaerobic digestion ~ $3+ MM/MW
Mass burn (waterwell/modular/RDF boiler/fluidized bed) ~ $2+ MM/MW

 
Finally, the TVRC generates significantly more electricity per ton of MSW versus some of the emerging technologies. Referencing back to one of the aforementioned proposed plasma gasification and plasma arc projects in Florida, the $120 million 600 TPD system was marketed to generate about 42 MW, of which only 18 MW would be sold to the grid.

A TVRC waste-to-energy & waste to resource system also represents the most efficient land usage when compared to other renewable energy options.

Renewable Land per MW
Landfill gas 27 acres/MW
Wind 18 acres/MW
Solar 8 acres/MW
WTE 0.7 acres/MW

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