Análise comparativa econômica entre plantas de incineração e gaseificação para o processamento de resíduos sólidos urbanos.

Abstract

This work aimed to compare the technical and economic feasibility between incineration and gasification technologies as an alternative for the final disposal of municipal solid waste (MSW). Technical feasibility was analyzed from the point of view of waste characterization and the estimate of electricity generation for each ton of waste processed in the incineration and gasification plant, through the Rankine cycle. Economic feasibility was given from the estimate of the cash flow for each technology, analyzing the indicators Net Present Value, Internal Rate of Return and Discounted Payback. Sensitivity analysis was carried out on the main parameters that influence the cash flow and the economic feasibility of the projects, such as the interest rate of financing, the price of the generated electricity, the cost for the implementation of the plants, the costs for the operation and maintenance of the plants. The results show that when the plants have the same daily processing capacity, gasification is economically advantageous, presenting a higher Internal Rate of Return and a lower Discounted Payback, compared to incineration plants. Economic feasibility for gasification plants was discovered when the processing capacity is above 150 tons of waste per day, and the financing of the venture is interest-free. For incineration, the venture becomes economically viable when the plant's processing capacity exceeds 440 tons per day and with interest-free financing.