Electricity Generation Potential of Municipal Solid Waste of Nepal and GHG Mitigations

Abstract

 This research is carried out to assess the current status of municipal solid waste of municipalities of Nepal and its potential for energy recovery. During the year 2016, solid waste samples were collected by door-to-door collection method and the total energy content of the municipal waste was calculated using Bomb Calorimeter in the laboratory. During the study period, the total waste generated at Kathmandu metropolitan city was 566 tons per day with 0.3 kg per capita contribution. The major waste constituent was the organic with 67.77% of the total waste volume. Other bulk wastes were plastic and paper constituting 10% and 5% by volume respectively. Rest of the wastes (8%) was categorized as “other". In average, the total moisture content in the wastes was 49.93%. Total waste generation of all municipalities was found 1435 tons per day. The calorific value of the plastic wastes had highest energy content (40.61 MJ/kg). The organic (15.68 MJ/kg) and paper (15.61MJ/kg) wastes had similar energy content while the other wastes had slightly higher energy content (17.57MJ/kg). The net energy available and, thus, lost after dumping of the solid waste was 71,895,056 MJ which is equivalent to 4262 MWh which can run 52 MW plasma arc gasification power plant. The waste to energy potential of Kathmandu Metropolitan city was found to be 19 MW. Total reduction in GHG emission was found 220,690 kg CO₂ eq kg per day.

Journal of the Institute of Engineering, 2018, 14(1): 151-161