Publication: Investigation of plasma pyrolysis gasifier for municipal solid waste
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Date
2023-07-01
Authors
Shatish Rao A/L Kaleswara Rao
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Abstract
This project focuses on the investigation of plasma pyrolysis gasifier for treatment of
municipal solid waste (MSW). Plasma pyrolysis gasification is an advanced waste
treatment technology that holds promise for efficient and sustainable management of
municipal solid waste (MSW). The process involves subjecting MSW to high-temperature
plasma generated by plasma electrodes, leading to the thermal decomposition of the waste
into syngas and other valuable byproducts by incorporating steam. Synthesis gas,
comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and other combustible gases, can be utilized for
energy generation, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and minimizing greenhouse gas
emissions. The main advantages of plasma pyrolysis gasification for MSW is high
conversion efficiency and the ability to handle diverse waste compositions. This project
aims to investigate the plasma pyrolysis gasification for MSW and analyse the syngas
produced from the decomposed MSW. To power the plasma electrodes, three pairs of
26kV,48mA transformers which can produce high voltage arc (more than 2000℃) is used,
controlled by Solid State Relays (SSRs) in conjunction with an Arduino Uno
microcontroller. The control system, comprising the Arduino Uno and SSRs, ensures
precise and reliable regulation of the power supply to the plasma electrodes. Simulation of
pyrolysis/gasification process has been done in Solidworks to study and analyses the heat
transfer during the pyrolysis process. The experiment has been conducted several times in
order to obtain the average results. The sample gas has been tested using gas
chromatography in order to determine the syngas composition which is produced from the
plasma pyrolysis gasification experiment. The experiment was conducted in two different
ways where the feedstock feeding type is different. Method 1 is batch-to-batch feeding
while method 2 is one-time feeding. Syngas was produced from both experiment type. The
average hydrogen gas composition in volume for method 1 is 2.64% and for method 2 is
0.58%. The obtained syngas composition volume in this project is not sufficient enough to
act as a fuel. Future works has been stated in order to improve the efficiency of overall
pyrolysis/gasification process. A stirrer can be added in the chamber to allow all the MSW
are exposed to the plasma arc.