The feasibility of waste-to-energy in Saskatchewan based on waste composition and quantity

Abstract

Increasing amounts of municipal solid waste are becoming an issue for urban and rural municipalities. One method for dealing with municipal solid waste is converting it into energy.In Saskatchewan, no waste-to-energy plants for municipal solid waste currently exist. This thesis explores the technical and economic feasibility of developing waste-to-energy facilities in the province in cities and towns smaller than the two largest centers of Saskatoon and Regina. A waste composition study was performed at 12 municipal solid waste landfills throughout the province with varying demographic and socioeconomic attributes. This study revealed that municipal solid waste across the province did not vary significantly, regardless of different socioeconomic and demographics factors. The average composition of the municipal solid waste in the selected small cities and towns in Saskatchewan was 7% inert, 45% wet putrescible, 33% dry combustible, and 15% plastic, making it suitable for most types of waste-to-energy. Several types of waste-to-energy were assessed for communities in Saskatchewan. The feasibility of each type of waste-to-energy was assessed based upon the results of the waste composition study, and the quantity of waste required. Starved air incineration, rotary kiln incineration, and landfill gas utilization were found to be the most viable forms of waste-to-energy currently available. Landfill gas utilization was found to be the most economically feasible, with the least amount of environmental impact.