Plasma Gasification of Municipal Solid Waste: A Review

Utilization of plasma gasification in waste to energy is one of the novel applications meeting todays need for waste disposal. In this application, plasma arc, gasifies the carbon based part of waste materials such as municipal solid waste, sludge, agricultural waste, etc. and generating a synthetic gas which can be used to produce energy through engine generators, gas turbines and boilers. The non-carbon based part of the waste materials can be vitrified into glass and reusable metal. The analysis indicates that gasification is a technically viable option for the solid waste conversion, including residual waste from separate collection of municipal solid waste. The paper focuses on plasma gasification technology for waste disposal and energy generation with case study. It is able to meet existing emission limits and can have a remarkable effect on reduction of landfill disposal option. Keywords: Waste-to-energy, Gasification, Syngas, Thermal treatment and Municipal solid waste.