skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Energy implications of the thermal recovery of biodegradable municipal waste materials in the United Kingdom

Abstract

Highlights: > Energy balances were calculated for the thermal treatment of biodegradable wastes. > For wood and RDF, combustion in dedicated facilities was the best option. > For paper, garden and food wastes and mixed waste incineration was the best option. > For low moisture paper, gasification provided the optimum solution. - Abstract: Waste management policies and legislation in many developed countries call for a reduction in the quantity of biodegradable waste landfilled. Anaerobic digestion, combustion and gasification are options for managing biodegradable waste while generating renewable energy. However, very little research has been carried to establish the overall energy balance of the collection, preparation and energy recovery processes for different types of wastes. Without this information, it is impossible to determine the optimum method for managing a particular waste to recover renewable energy. In this study, energy balances were carried out for the thermal processing of food waste, garden waste, wood, waste paper and the non-recyclable fraction of municipal waste. For all of these wastes, combustion in dedicated facilities or incineration with the municipal waste stream was the most energy-advantageous option. However, we identified a lack of reliable information on the energy consumed in collecting individual wastes and preparingmore » the wastes for thermal processing. There was also little reliable information on the performance and efficiency of anaerobic digestion and gasification facilities for waste.« less

Authors:
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [4]
  1. Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA (United Kingdom)
  2. Strategy Unit, Welsh Assembly Government, Ty Cambria, 29 Newport Road, Cardiff CF24 0TP (United Kingdom)
  3. Environmental Resources Management Ltd, Eaton House, Wallbrook Court, North Hinksey Lane, Oxford OX2 0QS (United Kingdom)
  4. 7 Thurlow Close, Old Town Stevenage, Herts SG1 4SD (United Kingdom)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
21578468
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Waste Management
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 31; Journal Issue: 9-10; Other Information: DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2011.04.015; PII: S0956-053X(11)00213-3; Copyright (c) 2011 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Journal ID: ISSN 0956-053X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
09 BIOMASS FUELS; 12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE WASTES, AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES; ANAEROBIC DIGESTION; COMBUSTION; EFFICIENCY; ENERGY BALANCE; ENERGY RECOVERY; FOOD; GASIFICATION; HEAT TREATMENTS; LEGISLATION; MOISTURE; MUNICIPAL WASTES; PERFORMANCE; REFUSE DERIVED FUELS; RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES; THERMAL RECOVERY; UNITED KINGDOM; WASTE MANAGEMENT; WOOD; WOOD WASTES; ALTERNATIVE FUELS; BIOCONVERSION; CHEMICAL REACTIONS; DEVELOPED COUNTRIES; DIGESTION; ENERGY SOURCES; ENHANCED RECOVERY; EUROPE; FUELS; MANAGEMENT; ORGANIC WASTES; OXIDATION; SOLID WASTES; THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES; WASTES; WESTERN EUROPE

Citation Formats

Burnley, Stephen, Phillips, Rhiannon, Coleman, Terry, and Rampling, Terence. Energy implications of the thermal recovery of biodegradable municipal waste materials in the United Kingdom. United States: N. p., 2011. Web. doi:10.1016/j.wasman.2011.04.015.
Burnley, Stephen, Phillips, Rhiannon, Coleman, Terry, & Rampling, Terence. Energy implications of the thermal recovery of biodegradable municipal waste materials in the United Kingdom. United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2011.04.015
Burnley, Stephen, Phillips, Rhiannon, Coleman, Terry, and Rampling, Terence. 2011. "Energy implications of the thermal recovery of biodegradable municipal waste materials in the United Kingdom". United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2011.04.015.
@article{osti_21578468,
title = {Energy implications of the thermal recovery of biodegradable municipal waste materials in the United Kingdom},
author = {Burnley, Stephen and Phillips, Rhiannon and Coleman, Terry and Rampling, Terence},
abstractNote = {Highlights: > Energy balances were calculated for the thermal treatment of biodegradable wastes. > For wood and RDF, combustion in dedicated facilities was the best option. > For paper, garden and food wastes and mixed waste incineration was the best option. > For low moisture paper, gasification provided the optimum solution. - Abstract: Waste management policies and legislation in many developed countries call for a reduction in the quantity of biodegradable waste landfilled. Anaerobic digestion, combustion and gasification are options for managing biodegradable waste while generating renewable energy. However, very little research has been carried to establish the overall energy balance of the collection, preparation and energy recovery processes for different types of wastes. Without this information, it is impossible to determine the optimum method for managing a particular waste to recover renewable energy. In this study, energy balances were carried out for the thermal processing of food waste, garden waste, wood, waste paper and the non-recyclable fraction of municipal waste. For all of these wastes, combustion in dedicated facilities or incineration with the municipal waste stream was the most energy-advantageous option. However, we identified a lack of reliable information on the energy consumed in collecting individual wastes and preparing the wastes for thermal processing. There was also little reliable information on the performance and efficiency of anaerobic digestion and gasification facilities for waste.},
doi = {10.1016/j.wasman.2011.04.015},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/21578468}, journal = {Waste Management},
issn = {0956-053X},
number = 9-10,
volume = 31,
place = {United States},
year = {Thu Sep 15 00:00:00 EDT 2011},
month = {Thu Sep 15 00:00:00 EDT 2011}
}