Comparative Analysis of Syngas Production via Gasification and Plasma Gasification of Municipal Solid Waste

Abstract

Municipal solid waste (MSW) is a significant environmental challenge. Gasification is a process that converts MSW into energy at temperatures ranging from 700 to 1,200 °C. Plasma gasification enhances this process by utilizing a 4,000 °C plasma torch, which helps eliminate hazardous components and produces high-purity syngas. Although plasma gasification requires a considerable amount of energy, it presents a promising pathway for efficiently producing syngas from waste. Thus, this work aims to investigate and compare syngas production between plasma gasification and conventional gasification of municipal solid waste (MSW). The model validation of gasification and plasma gasification was first considered. The effects of air and steam as agents for maximum syngas yield were investigated. Moreover, the system efficiency of both routes is analyzed. The results indicated that the simulation results of syngas production from MSW conventional gasification and plasma gasification are consistent with the experimental data. When considering syngas production from both gasification routes, it was found that the concentrations of hydrogen and carbon monoxide in the syngas from MSW plasma gasification were higher than those from conventional gasification.