The use of syngas from biomedical waste plasma gasification systems for electricity production in internal combustion: Thermodynamic and economic issues

• Published in: Energy (Oxford) Vol. 199; p. 117419
• Main Authors: Paulino, Regina Franciélle Silva, Essiptchouk, Alexei Mikhailovich, Silveira, José Luz
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 15.05.2020; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Biomedical materials; Biomedical waste; Combustion; Economic analysis; Electric power generation; Electricity; Energy conservation; Energy efficiency; Gasification; Heat generation; Internal combustion engines; Medical wastes; New technology; Payback periods; Plasma; Plasma gasification; Production costs; Slag; Syngas; Synthesis gas; Waste disposal; Brazil; Biomedical waste; Plasma gasification; Electricity; Syngas
• DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2020.117419
• ISSN: 0360-5442

Brazil has problems with the incorrect disposal of biomedical waste (BW) and studies of new technologies to eliminate this problem is becoming increasingly important. The plasma gasification technology provides reliable destruction of polluting materials, produces an inert slag and syngas. The slag can be used in civil construction, whereas syngas can be burned in the internal combustion engine (ICE) for electricity and heat generation. To collaborate with the insertion of plasma gasification technology in the Brazilian scenario, thermodynamic and economic studies of the use of BW plasma gasification are developed in this work and applied to conditions of Guaratinguetá city, São Paulo state, Brazil. Initially, the thermodynamic analysis was performed to determine the energetic efficiency of the plasma gasification system coupled with the ICE and the electricity generation potential was determinate. Economic studies were conducted to determine syngas and electricity production cost, the payback period and expected annual saving of the system. Thermodynamic analysis showed that the energy efficiency of the plasma gasifier is 78.58% and that there is a potential to produce 31% of the electricity required in the BW plasma gasification system. Through economic analysis the payback obtained was 6 years. •The plasma gasification is a good alternative for processing biomedical waste.•The syngas produced has a medium potential for electricity generation.•In the best scenario, the payback is 6 years, although the technology is expensive.•The case study found that the higher the volume of biomedical waste processed better economic return.