Abstract
New ways of reducing environmental impact of solid waste are constantly developed. Thermochemical conversion with focus on material or energy recovery is one of the viable options. To make the feedstock properties more suitable for such a process, refuse derived fuel (RDF) is created. Although several studies have focused on thermochemical conversion in recent years, only few have comprehensively compared the main aspects of incineration, gasification, and pyrolysis processes from multiple aspects. This study focuses on mathematical modeling of these three processes in the Aspen Plus environment. Comparison from economic, safety, and environmental viewpoints was performed. As a base for the calculations, 10 t/h of RDF was selected. All three processes demonstrated the suitability to be used for energy recovery. Pyrolysis showed the greatest potential for material recovery. Payback period was used as a parameter of economic comparison with pyrolysis being the most profitable process. Based on the calculated Dow Fire and Explosion Index (F&EI) and Chemical Exposure Index (CEI) gasification was identified as the most hazardous process. In summary, based on this extensive techno-economic analysis, the ranking of processes from an economic standpoint is as follows: pyrolysis, incineration, gasification. From an environmental perspective, the ranking is: gasification, pyrolysis, incineration. In terms of safety, the order is: incineration, pyrolysis, gasification.