Plasma Gasification of Municipal Solid Waste

1. Plasma Gasification of Municipal Solid Waste TienDiep, Kevin Estacio, Sebastian Iskra, Linda Quan, Felix Velazquez Mentor: Dennis O’Brien University of Illinois at Chicago Process Flow Sheet Objective The objective of this design project is to build a plasma gasification facility in Gary, Indiana that will consume 5,000 tpd of feed, which is comprised of mostly municipal solid waste (MSW). Utilizing MSW will reduce the number of landfills which generate greenhouse gases while producing reusable and environmentally safe products that makes this design profitable at $365 million per year. At 5,000 tpd of feed, 1,719.5 tpd of syngas is produced and sold at $150 per ton. Economics Capital cost: $1.14 billion IRR : 13.07% Breakeven period: 7.025 years Technology Plant Layout • Products • Syngas is a versatile gasification product that is composed of hydrogen gas and carbon monoxide that will be converted to methanol. However, it can be used to produce other fuels or energy. • The by-products can be sold to industrial companies. • Nitrogen gas for the production of electronic parts or used as an inert gas • Argon gas for the production of light bulbs or used as an inert gas. • Elemental sulfur for sulfuric acid or fertilizers. • Carbon dioxide gas for usage in food, chemical, and oil industries. • Rockwool will be sold commercially as insulation or fertilizer. Chemical Reactions of the Gasification of Feed 2C + O2 → 2CO C + H2O → CO + H2 CO + H2O → CO2 + H2 Motivation In 2007, it was estimated that an average Illinois resident produces 2,088lbs of garbage per year. Based on these statistics, the design process will be able to sustain itself on the amount of waste produced on a daily basis. Furthermore, it is estimated that landfills in Illinois will reach its maximum capacity within 19 years. Landfills not only produce greenhouse gases, but can also contaminate groundwater and harbor diseases. Therefore, this process is both economically and environmentally beneficial.