Technology, cost, a performance of waste-to-energy incineration industry in China

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Abstract

With the upgrading of urbanization and improvement of living standards, the volume of municipal solid waste (MSW) is increasing in China. The waste-to-energy (WTE) incineration industry promotes the harmless disposal and recycling of MSW. It is an important part of the energy conservation and emission reduction tasks of “12th Five-Year Plan” period (2011–2015). Based on the development status of WTE plants in China, this paper makes an analysis of the WTE incineration industry from two aspects. The one is the analysis of political, economic, social and technological factors that influence the external environment of this industry. The other one is the discussion of technologies, costs and performances of some WTE plants in China, including a detailed cost-benefit analysis. It proves that the external environment is conducive to the development of WTE incineration industry and this industry is faced with good market prospects. Also, the net profit margin and return on investment (ROI) of WTE plants is attractive, up to 25% and 18% respectively. The pay back period is 12.73 years and the internal rate of return (IRR) is 10.94%. Thus, WTE plant has good profitability and economic benefit. Besides, WTE incineration has significant environmental benefits.

Introduction

The rapid development and urbanization of China have resulted in an increasing volume of municipal solid waste (MSW). The problem of MSW management has become a major social problem [1]. The delivering quantity of household waste averages 170 million tons in China, and the amount of untreated MSW over the years has reached 7 billion tons, with an annual increase of 8–10%. About one-third of cities in China have problems of MSW disposal, with direct economic losses amounting to $ 1.467 billion1. The MSW causes damages to the environment and spreads diseases, having become a serious threat to the health of residents and an obstacle to the social development. Due to the lack of MSW disposal capacity, the backward infrastructure and operational skills of MSW treatment facilities, as well as the lack of supporting facilities, some cities are faced with the “garbage siege” problem.

The harmless disposal of MSW is important to build a resource-saving and environment-friendly society, reduce pollution, improve the living environment and level of ecological civilization, and achieve scientific urban development [2]. In response, Chinese government is seeking more effective ways of MSW disposal. Compared with other MSW treatment technologies, the waste incineration performs best [3], and it is a better waste management option [4]. The application of large-scale incineration technologies is inevitable as landfill areas would ultimately cease [5]. Thus, the waste-to-energy (WTE) incineration plant becomes a good choice in China, which uses incineration to convert MSW to electricity. It makes use of waste resources and transfers them to electricity to achieve waste reduction, recycling and harmlessness, which can meet the requirements of circular economy with significant economic and environmental benefits.

Section snippets

Literature review

WTE incineration also attracts the attention of some scholars. In technology, the advanced waste incineration technologies and solutions were discussed [6]. Poggio and Grieco [7] studied the influence of flue gas cleaning system on the energetic efficiency and the economic performance of an incineration plant. Their analysis shows that the few advantages of dry technologies can often be lost considering the costs of chemicals and the disposal of products. A review was made on air pollution

Political factors

“The 12th Five-Year Plan (2011–2015)” of Chinese government puts forward the goals, major tasks and standards for the harmless disposal of urban waste and the WTE incineration industry [27]. According to the “Plan”, all municipalities, provincial capitals, and cities specifically designated in the state plan will achieve the harmless disposal of MSW reaching a rate of 90% and over, and that in rural areas reaching 70% in 2015. Newly added facilities nationwide for harmless MSW disposal will

Technologies

The system components of WTE incineration projects are similar to that of general thermal power projects, including thermal system, ash handling system, water supply, water treatment systems, etc. [71]. A set of waste leachate treatment systems is also included, mainly to deal with the waste leachate produced during storage, shown in Fig. 2.

1. Conclusion

Significant changes have taken place in China׳s WTE incineration industry. With the strengthening of support and supervision from the government, WTE incineration industry is faced with good market prospects and the needs for financing are increasing significantly. The stress and demands for more waste disposal are becoming more and more urgent, and the public oppositions are becoming weakened. Therefore, this industry has entered a new industrial cycle. In the future, with increasing

Acknowledgment

This paper is supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China Project (Grant nos. 71273088 and 71471058) and Research Center for Beijing Energy Development (nos. NYJD20150102).

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