Feasibility of waste-to-energy recovery technoligies in Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

Solid waste remained a no longer more problem with establishment of innovate waste-to-energy recovery technologies. In this study, try to find out the most promising energy recovery technology among the other available options for the recovery of energy from generated solid waste. The primary and secondary data on composition and quantity of waste, socio-economic, environmental related issues and on waste-to-energy technologies were collected from concerned departments by reviewing their yearly reports and conducting focus group interviews and review of published literature. The quantity of solid waste in towns of Lahore is estimated multiplying the common factor by increased population but is not correlated with economic levels of different groups. The average estimated composition of Lahore solid waste was consisted of approximately 6.7% recyclables, 28% inert and 56% organic fractions. Current composition and quantity of solid waste is favourable for various types of waste-to-energy technologies. Different available waste-to-energy options were studied deeply by considering their social-economic and environmental issues and selected the most favourable options according to their current capacities and type of composition required for the management of produced waste in Lahore. Landfill/bioreactor landfill gas production and utilization and mass burn incineration were selected to be the most favourable energy recovery technologies according to current situations. However, the landfill/bioreactor landfill gas production and utilization was considered to be the best facility which is socially acceptable, environmentally friendly and economically feasible option.