Potential of municipal solid waste for renewable energy production and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in South Korea.
Energy from waste (EfW) for nonrecyclable wastes is a suitable method of waste management and is important for renewable energy production. South Korea currently recycles 57% of household waste and landfills 26%. The remaining 17% is incinerated, mainly for heat production. In this study, the potential for energy production and reduction of corresponding greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from municipal solid waste (MSW) in Korea was estimated without accounting for the lifecycle impact of waste management. The properties of the MSW were established from data available in national-scale waste surveys and reports. The potential of EfW for GHG emission reduction was calculated considering (1) the direct release of anthropogenic carbon, nitrous oxide (N2O), and methane (CH4); and (2) the reduction in indirect GHG emissions by fossil fuel displacement. CH4 emissions from landfilling were also estimated from biogenic carbon in waste. Applying the resulting emission factors to various EfW cases suggests that the current level of GHG emissions is significant but can be substantially reduced by increased use of EfW. A net reduction in GHG emissions can be achieved only by EfW with combined heat and power (CHP).
Ryu
Changkook
C
School of Mechanical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, South Korea. cryu@me.skku.ac.kr
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D003246:Conservation of Energy Resources / Q000379:methods*; D004736:Energy-Generating Resources; D005579:Fossil Fuels; D017752:Greenhouse Effect; D017745:Incineration; D008697:Methane / Q000032:analysis; D012037:Refuse Disposal / Q000379:methods*; D056910:Republic of Korea; D018505:Waste Management
D000393:Air Pollutants; D005579:Fossil Fuels; D008697:Methane