Estimation of the electrical energy potential through the gasification of urban solid waste in the province of, Trujillo, Perú

Abstract

The inadequate management of urban solid waste represents a challenge for the environmental sustainability of Peru. This study estimates the electrical energy generation potential of urban solid waste in the province of Trujillo, characterized as 55.46% organic, 26.31% inorganic and 8.58% hazardous. Using Aspen Plus® software, the gasification process was modeled using a downdraft reactor and, using Stat-Ease 360 ​​V.23.1 software, the energy yield of the synthesis gas was optimized. The ANOVA demonstrated an excellent fit of the model for a minimum air-fuel ratio of 0.6 and a maximum temperature of 900 °C, achieving an optimal thermal generation performance of 462.08 TJ/h and a calorific value of 11.16 MJ/kg . The synthesis gas feeds the Jenbacher 624 motor generators, which have an electrical efficiency of 42.1%, obtaining a power of 52.96 MW. With this application it is possible to cover the energy demand of approximately 91.86% of the urban population of the province of Trujillo. Additionally, a reduction in CO₂e emissions was estimated at 209,730 tons per year due to the substitution of fossil energy.