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Title: Municipal solid waste fueled power generation in China: a case study of waste-to-energy in Changchun city

Journal Article · · Environmental Science and Technology
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es071416g· OSTI ID:20969918
; ; ;  [1]
  1. Stanford University, Stanford, CA (United States). Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

With rapid economic growth and massive urbanization in China, many cities face the problem of municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal. With the lack of space for new landfills, waste-to-energy incineration is playing an increasingly important role in waste management. Incineration of MSW from Chinese cities presents some unique challenges because of its low calorific value (3000-6700 kJ/kg) and high water content (about 50%). This study reports a novel waste-to-energy incineration technology based on co-firing of MSW with coal in a grate-circulating fluidized bed (CFB) incinerator, which was implemented in the Changchun MSW power plant. In 2006, two 260 ton/day incinerators incinerated 137,325 tons, or approximately one/sixth of the MSW generated in Changchun, saving more than 0.2 million m{sup 3} landfill space. A total of 46.2 million kWh electricity was generated (38,473 tons lignite was also burned as supplementary fuel), with an overall fuel-to-electricity efficiency of 14.6%. Emission of air pollutants including particulate matters, acidic gases, heavy metals, and dioxins was low and met the emission standards for incinerators. As compared to imported incineration systems, this new technology has much lower capital and operating costs and is expected to play a role in meeting China's demands for MSW disposal and alternative energy. 34 refs., 1 fig., 4 tabs.

OSTI ID:
20969918
Journal Information:
Environmental Science and Technology, Vol. 41, Issue 21; Other Information: cheng553@stanford.edu; ISSN 0013-936X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English