Municipal Solid Waste Generation from Morocco and Tunisia, and their Possible Energetic Valorization

Abstract

Municipal solid waste (MSW) is a major concern for waste management worldwide. It is an important renewable energy potential, which must be exploited by ecological processes, to protect the environment. From this perspective, Morocco and Tunisia are committed to the strategy of sustainable development. In this work, we have shown that these two countries have significant deposits of municipal solid wastes. The nature of these municipal wastes is similar in Morocco, as well as in Tunisia, it is characterized by the predominance of fermentable organic matter with nearly 63% to 65% of the total weight and a significant percentage of 20% of solid waste characterized by plastic, paper and cardboard, having an important calorific value that can be recycled and energetically recovered. In their strategy to exploit renewable energy and reduce waste, both countries have generally used biochemical waste-to-energy conversion processes, using bio-methanization, anaerobic or aerobic digestion, due to the preponderance of fermentable waste. It would be interesting to use energy recovery by thermochemical way which also has a maximum energy potential. A comparison between the processes of incineration, pyrolysis and gasification, thermochemical type, has been established for the valorization of MSW in bioenergy. The comparison was based on their ecological aspect and their capacity to provide high yields of bio products with high energy value. Pyrolysis technology was the most appropriate choice, allowing generation of a high yield of bio-oil, plus bio char and syngas with a high calorific value.