Financial and Socio-economic Study of Modular Pyrolysis Facilities as Waste-to-Energy Technology: a Case Study in Metropolitan Manila, Philippines

Abstract

Industrial, medical, and electronic residual wastes can potentially be an important source of energy with the use of waste-to-energy (WtE) conversion technology. In Metropolitan Manila, Philippines, about 144,000 kg/d of residual wastes were being generated by the hospitals, industrial sectors, and electronic companies. Hence, imploring high potential benefits can be achieved through utilizing these wastes as feedstock for any WtE conversion facility. A technical and financial costing was performed to evaluate the feasibility of putting up a conventional pyrolysis system in Metropolitan Manila. Various modular-type scenarios of a pyrolysis system in the WtE facility were identified based on the geographical attributes of the sectoral residual wastes generators. Results showed that a 10 tons/d pyrolysis plant facility, with Brayton power set-up, can eventually produce 800 kW and generate an annual net income of PHP 83.63 M after a 2-yr breakeven period. In addition, this facility can accommodate at most 11 tons/d of residual wastes for processing. In contrast, a smaller footprint of pyrolysis-Brayton set-up consisting of three tons per day, with 1,000 kg of daily wastes and a power generation of 65 kW, can potentially produce a net income of PHP 18.06 M following a 3-yr breakeven period. The WtE business models of putting up conventional pyrolysis facilities, by presenting both the maximum and minimum scenarios in terms of plant capacity and income when intended for operation and adoption, were computed to be feasible.