What is it?


Waste-to-energy (WtE) is a process of creating
energy in the form of electricity or heat from the
incineration of waste source.
A form of energy recovery.
 WtE Process Types

Mass burn facilities
It process raw waste that has not been shredded, sized,
or separated before combustion, although large items
such as appliances and hazardous waste materials and
batteries are removed before combustion.
 WtE Process Types

Refuse-derived fuel (RDF)
It is a result of processing municipal solid waste (MSW)
to separate the combustible fraction from the
noncombustible, such as metals and glass. RDF is
mainly composed of paper, plastic, wood, and kitchen
or yard wastes, and it has higher energy content than
untreated MSW
 Waste-to-Energy Conversion Pathways
Physico-chemical
Thermochemical Conversion Biochemical Conversion Conversion

Incineration Gasification Pyrolysis Digestion Fermentation Extraction

 Thermochemical

It is characterized by higher temperature and conversion rates, is
best suited for lower moisture feedstock and is generally less
selective for products.
Thermochemical Processes
 Thermochemical Conversion
Technologies
Incineration

produce ash, flue gas, and heat
Gasification
produce carbon monoxide, hydrogen, carbon
dioxide and methane
Pyrolysis
produce gas and liquid products and leaves a solid
residue richer in carbon content
Incineration

the controlled combustion of waste with the recovery
of heat to produce steam which in turn produces
power through steam turbines
converts the waste into ash, flue gas, and heat
heat generated by incineration can be used to
generate electric power
INCENERATION PROCESS
Gasification

processes involve the reaction of carbonaceous
feedstock with an oxygen-containing reagent,
usually oxygen, air, steam or carbon dioxide,
generally at temperatures in excess of 800°C.
involves the partial oxidation of a substance which
implies that oxygen is added but the amounts are not
sufficient to allow the fuel to be completely oxidised
and full combustion to occur.
GASIFICATION PROCESS
Pyrolysis

thermal decomposition of biomass occurring in the
absence of oxygen.
fundamental chemical reaction that is the precursor
of both the combustion and gasification processes
and occurs naturally in the first two seconds.
products of biomass pyrolysis include biochar, bio-
oil and gases including methane, hydrogen, carbon
monoxide, and carbon dioxide.
PYROLYSIS PROCESS
 Biochemical

It is are preferred for wastes having high percentage of
organic biodegradable (putrescible) matter and high
moisture content.
Biochemical Processes
 Biochemical Conversion
Technologies
Anaerobic digestion

produce biogas
Alcohol fermentation
produce ethanol
Anaerobic Digestion

a reliable technology for the treatment of organic
waste
organic waste from various sources is composted in
highly controlled, oxygen-free conditions resulting
in the production of biogas which can be used to
produce both electricity and heat
It also results in a dry residue called digestate which
can be used as a soil conditioner
ANAEROBIC DIGESTION
PROCESS
Alcohol Fermentation

transformation of organic fraction of biomass to
ethanol by a series of biochemical reactions using
specialized microorganisms
It finds good deal of application in the
transformation of woody biomass into cellulosic
ethanol
ALCOHOL FERMENTATION
PROCESS
 Physico-chemical

It involves various processes to improve physical and
chemical properties of solid waste. The combustible fraction of
the waste is converted into high-energy fuel pellets which may
be used in steam generation.
Physico-chemical Processes
Physico-chemical Conversion
Technologies

References
• http://www.wasteincineration.net/images/waste1.jpg
• http://www.altenergymag.com/articles/09.06.01/zafar/figure1.jpg
• http://withfriendship.com/images/d/19311/scheme-for-fast-
pyrolysis.jpg
• http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel_library/ethanol_motherearth/
z/fig1-1.jpg
• http://www.wedotanks.com/images/wwtplarge.gif
• http://www.eqnxcorp.com/expertise_clip_image042.gif