Modeling of plasma and entrained flow co-gasification of MSW and petroleum sludge

Abstract

In this work two thermochemical conversion technologies are compared, i.e. plasma and entrained flow co-gasification of municipal-solid-waste (MSW) and Petroleum hydrocarbon waste (PHW). In the Gulf States, the MSW is mainly landfilled while PHW is subjected to specialized and rather expensive treatment. Here, the plasma gasification is compared to the conventional entrained flow technology in an equilibrium-based gasification model. The two models are developed in Aspen Plus representing an Integrated- Plasma and entrained flow Gasification Combined Cycles, i.e. IPGCC, and IGCC. Initially, the two feedstock were characterized via proximate and ultimate analyses. Then, IPGCC and IGCC are evaluated under variable oxygen-air ratio and MSW + PHW mixtures. On the basis of Abu Dhabi daily generation of 1338 tons of mixed waste consisting of 90% MSW and 10% PHW, one can generate 81 MWE at 33.6% efficiency using IPGCC plant compared to 100.2 MWE at 41.4% efficiency using conventional IGCC. Surprisingly, the gasification metrics including cold gasification (CGE), syngas molar fraction and their heating value are favoring the plasma technology. The results reveal 75% CGE for IGPCC vs 73% for IGCC at the highest oxygen ratio and 50% mixture fraction.