Challenges and Opportunities for Energy Recovery From Municipal Solid Waste in the Russian Federation

Abstract

Energy recovery from municipal solid waste (MSW) is currently a key factor in waste management in Russia, as can be seen from the corresponding changes in the state regulatory framework. The paper presents a comparative assessment of different waste flow characteristics; it focuses on pre-treatment options and the method of subsequent thermal treatment. It reflects the basic method of untreated MSW incineration and other advanced technologies which have different levels of waste preparation. Stepby-step research has been carried out in a large Russian city in order to determine different technological approaches to recovering energy from MSW. The study included: 1) field studies of the composition and characterization of MSW; 2) laboratory studies of MSW thermal properties, i.e. moisture, ash content and calorific value; 3) several options for waste treatment schemes with equipment of different technical specifications; 4) analysis of material flow, energy flow and key substance flow according to these considered schemes. The research revealed that for all seasons a significant proportion of MSW (almost 40%) is represented by fines (below 50 mm). On average, the energy potential of MSW (the total content of waste paper, polymers, textiles, wood, multilayer packaging, leather, rubber, footwear) amounts to about 40%. It was found that MSW calorific value depends on fraction size, since screening (over 50 mm) is characterized by high moisture and low content of valuable components, compared to MSW greater than 50 mm in size. Pre-processing and treatment of MSW allows solid recovered fuel (SRF) to be obtained with a calorific value similar to brown coal. The energy balance of the process allows the conclusion that 33.8% of initial MSW energy potential is concentrated in residues from the sorting process, since it has a relatively low calorific value of 4.8 MJ/kg, but a high mass fraction of 47.9%. In the process of MSW treatment and solid fuel production, most of the chlorine and mercury (80% and 55% respectively) is removed by the rest of the sorting process. The data obtained in the study can be used in selecting the optimal option for energy recovery from MSW.

Using Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis to Select Waste to Energy Technology for a Mega City: The Case of Moscow

“…The heating system CO 2 emissions for districts emits an annual amount of 22.4 Mt CO 2 . Such emissions can be reduced by adopting renewable energy in running the heating system of the Moscow region [39].…”

The Possibility of Secondary Resource Recovery During Waste Disposal Site Reclamation

“…Scenario 4 (S4) is based on recovery and further use of the waste energy fraction (Polygalov et al, 2019). Excavated waste is sifted on a screen, and energy fractions of waste are collected at a sorting facility located next to the landfill site.…”

Evaluating Global Municipal Solid Waste Management Efficiency From a Circular Economy Point of View

“…In a study in Irkutsk [43], an environmentally optimal scenario for waste management has been identified that includes the separate collection and processing of recyclable materials in combination with the preliminary aerobic mechanical and biological treatment of residual waste before disposal, but this scenario is not economically viable in real conditions. Energy recovery from waste is the most important factor in waste management in Russia, so it is important to investigate different waste flow characteristics [44]. The Russian Industrial development strategy for the processing, treatment and disposal of industrial waste and MSW for the period up to 2030 has defined one of the main CE resource-oriented indicator -the level of substitution (in percentage) of non-renewable natural resources for recycled ones for application in national economics, thus characterizing the scope of 3R (reduce-reuse-recycle) principle in the country [45].…”