Development of a Software System for Selecting Steam Power Plant to Convert Municipal Solid Waste to Energy

Rotimi A. Ibikunle, Isaac F. Titiladunayo and Basil O. Akinnuli
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Rotimi A. Ibikunle: Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, Landmark University, PMB 1001, Ipetu Road, Omu-Aran 251103, Nigeria
Isaac F. Titiladunayo: Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, Federal University of Technology, PMB 704, Akure 340106, Nigeria
Basil O. Akinnuli: Department of Industrial and Production Engineering, School of Engineering, Federal University of Technology, PMB 704, Akure 340106, Nigeria

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 21, 1-20

Abstract: A software system that enhances the selection of appropriate power plant capacity that will convert combustible municipal solid waste (MSW) into energy was developed. The aggregate of waste to be converted was determined and the corresponding heating value was established. The capacities of steam power plants’ components required for the conversion were determined, using thermodynamic mathematical models. An algorithm based on models used to determine the energy potential, the power potential of MSW, the capacities of the components of the steam power plant, were translated into computer soft code using Java programming language; saturated steam and superheated steam tables, together with the thermodynamic properties of the power plant required were incorporated into the soft code. About 584 tons of MSW having a heating value of 20 MJ/kg was the quantity of waste experimented for energy generation. This information was input into the software as data and was processed. Then, the software was able to predict 3245.54 MWh energy potential for the quantity of waste, and electrical power potential of 40.54 MW. The capacities of the steam power plant components that were predicted include 100.35 MW of boiler power, 40.54 MW of turbine power, and 59.80 MW of condenser power. The methodology adopted will make it easy for the managers in the waste-to-energy sector to appropriately select the suitable capacity of the required steam power plant that can convert any quantify of MSW at any geographical location, without going through the engineering calculation and stress or rigor involved in the plant capacity design. Moreover, the accuracy obtained for the software is greater than 99%.

Keywords: decision support system; combustible MSW; energy potential; power potential; selection of power plant (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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