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Analysis of Alternative MSW Treatment Technologies with the Aim of Energy Recovery in the Municipality of Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni

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Abstract

The alternative municipal solid waste (MSW) management is directly linked to the reduction of the biodegradable fraction and total waste mass disposed to landfill sites. Nowadays, the design and implementation of flexible plants with thermal or biological treatment methods are recommended by European and National legislations as an extremely sustainable waste management strategy in terms of this purpose, capable of assuring the protection of the environment and human health as well as the production of renewable energy. This paper focuses on the techno-economic analysis of an integrated mechanical–biological treatment scheme which includes the technology of anaerobic digestion (AD) for combined heat and power (CHP). Additionally, the main design and technical parameters of the biogas to energy project under consideration as well as the local conditions and legal requirements are reviewed. The goal is to investigate the prospects of profitability arisen in the longer term by the integration of a small scale MSW concept and the replacement of the current practice of waste disposal for a suburban municipality of Athens.

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Abbreviations

AD:

Anaerobic digestion

BTF:

Biological treatment facility

CAPEX:

Capital expenditure

CHP:

Combined heat and power

CLO:

Compost like output

DM:

Dry matter

DPBP:

Discounted payback period

EU:

European Union

HHV:

Higher heating value

IRR:

Internal rate of return

LHV:

Lower heating value

MBT:

Mechanical–biological treatment

MRF:

Material recovery facility

MS-OFMSW:

Mechanically-sorted organic fraction of municipal solid waste

MSW:

Municipal solid waste

MTF:

Mechanical treatment facility

NPV:

Net present value

O&M:

Operation and maintenance

OFMSW:

Organic fraction of municipal solid waste

OPEX:

Operational expenditure

PCTF:

Post-composting treatment facility

RDF:

Refuse derived fuel

SPBP:

Simple payback period

SS-OFMSW:

Source-sorted organic fraction of municipal solid waste

TPC:

Total plant cost

v/v:

Volume by volume

vol:

Volume

VVV:

Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni

w/w:

Weight by weight

WTE:

Waste-to-energy

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Mesogeos S.A., one of the largest commercial groups in the field of water and solid waste treatment in Greece, for their invaluable help in collecting the necessary economic data. Furthermore, thanks to Centre for Research and Technology-Hellas (CERTH) for the efficient collaboration through providing much information on key technical parameters.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Steam Boilers and Thermal Plants, National Technical University of Athens, Athens, Greece

    S. Thanopoulos, S. Karellas, D. Tzempelikos & D. Kourkoumpas

  2. Municipality of Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni, Athens, Greece

    M. Kavrakos & G. Konstantellos

  3. Centre for Research & Technology Hellas/Chemical Process & Energy Resources Institute (CERTH/CPERI), Athens, Greece

    D. Kourkoumpas

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  1. S. Thanopoulos
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Thanopoulos, S., Karellas, S., Kavrakos, M. et al. Analysis of Alternative MSW Treatment Technologies with the Aim of Energy Recovery in the Municipality of Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni. Waste Biomass Valor 11, 1585–1601 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12649-018-0388-5

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