Potential for Thermo-Chemical Conversion of Solid Waste in Canada to Fuel, Heat, and Electricity

Abstract

The amount of municipal solid waste (MSW) generation in Canada was 34 million tonnes in 2018. Responsible waste management is challenging, but essential to protect the environment and to prevent the contamination of the ecosystem on which we rely. Landfilling is the least desirable option, and diversion through thermo-chemical conversion to value-added products is a good option for difficult-to-recycle waste. In this study, the amounts, moisture contents, heating values, and compositions of municipally collected solid waste produced in Canada are reported, a classification that is suitable for conversion purposes is proposed, and the potential for thermo-chemical conversion is determined. Much of the waste generated in Canada is suitable for being converted, and its potential for heat or electricity generation was determined to be 193 PJ/yr and 37 TWh/y, respectively. The GHG emissions that are saved through diversion from the landfill, while assuming the generated heat or electricity offsets natural gas combustion, gives a GHG reduction of 10.6 MMTCO2E/yr or 1.6% of Canada’s GHG emissions. The blending of waste in feedstocks can have varying effects on the amount of biogenic CO2 produced per unit energy in the feedstock, which is an important consideration for new projects. Other considerations include the heating values, moisture contents, and contaminant levels in the waste.

Keywords

• solid waste
• thermo-chemical conversion
• waste to energy
• waste policy
• refuse-derived fuel