Converting Waste into Products and Energy Using Complete Circular Economy and the Hydrogen Effect Technique to Reduce Dependence on Natural Gas

A. Kovac Kralj

Abstract
Conversion of waste into products and energy has the potential to reduce CO2 emission through implementation of a complete circular economy and utilisation of the hydrogen effect technique. This study considers the novelties of the hydrogen effect technique, which incorporates an upgraded input unit mathematical model. It includes real-simulated results obtained using an Aspen Plus® simulator, and enlarged production. This technique is developed for optimal municipal solid waste (MSW) combustion, gasification, and reforming, presented as an upgraded input unit for syngas production, which can reduce CO2 emissions by 3·10^6 kmol a–1. This approach is exemplified by utilizing existing methanol and dimethyl ether production processes from natural gas, as they can be achieved and exceeded using MSW with varying hydrogen amounts. The optimal upgraded methanol and dimethyl ether production processes can increase production by 47 % and 16 %, including only the upgraded input unit, as well as decrease the temperature in the product reactors by 30 °C.

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Keywords
waste gasification, flue gas, syngas, hydrogen, circular economy, combustion