The Relative Value of Energy Derived From Municipal Refuse

Abstract

Many systems for utilizing the heat energy in municipal refuse are in various stages of development. These systems either use unprocessed solid waste as a fuel or derive a fuel through processing. The fuels produced vary radically in heating value. The energy expended in processing differs from one process to another and the potential end use is not the same for each system. Six representative systems are compared to determine the relative potential value of refuse as a source of energy.