SMALL-SCALE STEAM GENERATION FROM LOCAL SOLID WASTE

This work is a technical feasibility study of steam generation through municipal solid waste conversion into refused derived fuel at Providencia Island, in Colombia. This study explores the possible benefits produced from a well-planned waste-toenergy facility constructed on a geographically distinct situation which limits considerably the optimal available options of energy generation. In this paper, is explained in detail the importance of a proper process for waste classification and separation to obtain a suitable fuel. A mathematical model is develop to obtain useful data of energy content from RDF, then using this results, a basic model is calculated for the operation of a steam generating boiler, following this step, the most important characteristic data, such as main steam pressure (2 MPa), mass flow rate (0.425011 kg/s) and outlet temperature (400 °C) is obtained. This information is of the most vital importance, as it is used to design and set up the basic parameters of the steam turbine, which lead in the election of the best electric generation set for this application. This work remarks some of the most important benefits of waste-to-energy electric generation, some of the compelling factors to consider this option are based on electric demand covered, CO2 emissions, waste disposition and money savings with less uses of diesel for electric generation. This paper conclude that although the electric generation through RDF usage can only cover from 7 up to 15 percent of the electric demand of the mentioned population, the environmental benefits cover the entire demand of the island and can actually increase to cover the neighboring islands, so, from two compelling reasons for the implementation.