Integrated MSW to Energy and Hot Water Generation Plant for Indian Cities: Thermal Performance Prediction

The present study reports the model development and thermodynamic analyses of an integrated municipal solid waste (MSW) fuelled externally fired air turbine (AT) plant and hot water generation plant for Indian cities. Waste generated from a typical Indian municipal town (Kandi) is considered to be the fuel input to the plant. Dry and segregated MSW is burnt in the combustion chamber of dual combustor-air heating (DCAH) unit which then heat-up the working fluid (air) of the topping AT cycle. Exhaust heat from the DCAH unit is utilized to produce hot water to meet the demand of town. Effect of topping compressor’s pressure ratio (r_p = 4–16), air turbine inlet temperature (ATIT = 900, 1000 and 1100 °C) and hot end temperature difference (HETD = 70–150 °C) on the energetic, exergetic and environmental (3-E) performance of the plant is analyzed and reported here. It is observed that the plant can deliver 1100 kWe of electricity and about 2450 L of hot water (hourly basis) at the base case scenario. Maximum exergy is destroyed at the DCAH unit and at the WHU, respectively. Sustainability index (environmental parameter) value is found to be 1.56 at the base case. Furthermore, it is observed that these plant operational parameters can be influential for evaluation of 3-E performance of the plant.