Conversion of Municipal Solid Wastes into Fuels and Chemicals by Pyrolysis: Tulkarm Transfer Station as a Case Study.

Abstract

This study examines the process of pyrolysis, which turns municipal solid waste (MSW) into chemicals and fuels. The Tulkarm Transfer Station in Palestine is used as a case study. Aspen Plus process simulation is used in the study to assess technical performance, environmental advantages, and economic viability in a variety of situations. A rotary kiln reactor model was created to forecast product yields, and proximate and ultimate analyses were used to characterize the composition of MSW. The results demonstrate that the heterogeneous character of the feedstock has a major impact on the pyrolysis results. The pyrolysis process of the MSW was simulated in various scenarios, with the first scenario achieving a maximum bio-oil production of 21.3 wt.%. The second scenario, which focused on the biomass portion, yielded 60.5 wt.% bio-oil. However, the third scenario (50% plastic with 50% biomass) and the fourth scenario (100% plastic feedstock) had maximum bio-oil yields of 67.82% and 82.32 wt%, respectively. When compared to landfilling, economic analysis shows that scenarios that include energy recovery and the sale of chemical byproducts offer the maximum profitability while simultaneously lowering greenhouse gas emissions. The results show that pyrolysis has the potential to help Palestine with its energy and waste management issues. This study advances the local use of waste-to-energy technology by offering a framework that may be replicated in comparable situations in underdeveloped nations.