Analysis of Energy Recovery from Municipal Solid Waste and Its Environmental and Economic Impact in Tulkarm, Palestine

Wael A. Salah; Manar Atatri; Aya Zaid; Rama Abuhafeza; Mai Abuhelwa; Mohammed J. K. Bashir; Basem Abu Zneid

doi:10.3390/en16155590

Energies (Jul 2023)

Analysis of Energy Recovery from Municipal Solid Waste and Its Environmental and Economic Impact in Tulkarm, Palestine

Wael A. Salah,
Manar Atatri,
Aya Zaid,
Rama Abuhafeza,
Mai Abuhelwa,
Mohammed J. K. Bashir,
Basem Abu Zneid

Affiliations

Wael A. Salah: Department of Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering and Technology, Palestine Technical University—Kadoorie, Yafa Street, Tulkarm P.O. Box 7, Palestine
Manar Atatri: Department of Renewable Energy Engineering, College of Engineering and Technology, Palestine Technical University—Kadoorie, Yafa Street, Tulkarm P.O. Box 7, Palestine
Aya Zaid: Department of Renewable Energy Engineering, College of Engineering and Technology, Palestine Technical University—Kadoorie, Yafa Street, Tulkarm P.O. Box 7, Palestine
Rama Abuhafeza: Department of Renewable Energy Engineering, College of Engineering and Technology, Palestine Technical University—Kadoorie, Yafa Street, Tulkarm P.O. Box 7, Palestine
Mai Abuhelwa: Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
Mohammed J. K. Bashir: Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology (FEGT), Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kampar 31900, Perak, Malaysia
Basem Abu Zneid: Department of Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering (CE), University of Business and Technology (UBT), Jeddah 21448, Saudi Arabia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/en16155590
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 16, no. 15
p. 5590

Abstract

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Municipal solid waste management (SWM) is one of the most useful applications of renewable energy, supporting the market for renewable energy and assisting in environmental protection by reducing emissions. Sustainability is one of the key issues with solid waste management systems in developing countries, including Palestine. Waste-to-energy (WTE) technology is one of the greatest strategies for effectively managing solid waste. This study focuses mostly on waste management in Palestine’s Tulkarm area. We conducted an evaluation of the potential of energy recovery from municipal solid waste through a number of approaches, such as incineration, gasification, anaerobic digestion, and landfilling. Additionally, the implications on the environment, human health, and economics were investigated. The results showed that anaerobic digestion recovered around 5156.15 kWh per day; whereas, incineration and gasification recovered about 40,986.60 and 14,663.88 kWh per day, respectively. The least recovered energy amount was roughly 3563.87 kWh per day, which was generated by landfilling technology. Additionally, the environmental analysis showed that anaerobic digestion could save around 48,362 tons of CO2 annually; meanwhile, incineration and gasification could save about 384,424 and 137,538 tons of CO2, respectively. The lowest quantity of emissions could be saved by landfilling, with about 33,427 tons saved yearly. The energy cost savings associated with each technology were also estimated. The results of the energy savings estimation showed that incineration had the highest saving of USD 4918.12; gasification and anaerobic digestion saved USD 1759.67 and USD 618.74, respectively. Whereas, landfilling had the lowest saving of about USD 427.66. A careful analysis of all aspects related to each technology, in comparison to the available waste treatment techniques, was carried out to propose a solution to cover the energy deficit in Tulkarm as a primary goal. Anaerobic digestion was found to be more environmentally advantageous and economically feasible and thus can be recommended to decision-makers and investors.

Published in Energies

ISSN: 1996-1073 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Technology
Website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/energies

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