Plasma Gasification Process Modeling and Energy Recovery From Solid Waste

Abstract

In recent studies, plasma gasification has shown great potential as an effective method for solid waste treatment and energy recovery. In this study, a plasma gasification process is simulated based on a chemical equilibrium model developed in Aspen Plus. The model takes into account the properties of different feedstock, used for gasification, and the input plasma energy and evaluates the output syngas composition following a Gibbs free energy minimization approach. The model is used to evaluate plasma gasification of three types of feedstock i.e. industrial waste (shredded tires), construction waste (plywood), and baseline bituminous coal. The process is optimized for two different types of plasma gas: air and steam. Process metrics are evaluated and compared for the considered feedstock. Results showed an obtained plasma gasification efficiency of 46.4% for shredded tires and 41.1% for plywood and bituminous coal. Energy recovery potential is also evaluated using an integrated plasma gasification combined cycle (IPGCC) power plant model. Thermal efficiencies of the process are evaluated and compared for the different feedstock. Plasma gasification of waste tire material resulted in an energy efficiency of 28.5%, while the efficiency for coal and plywood was lower at 20.0% and 18.3%, respectively.