Energy Recovery from Waste Paper and Deinking Sludge to Support the Demand of the Paper Industry: A Numerical Analysis

The recovery of fibres from waste paper (WP) and deinking sludge (DIS) reduces the stress on nature compared to collection virgin pulp for production. Moreover, if not recycled, WP DIS are mainly landfilled incinerated, being thus responsible release greenhouse gases (GHGs) into atmosphere. In this context, energy would contribute increasing independence improving management in industry. From a broader perspective, it increase renewable generation, supporting industry reducing fossil fuel consumption GHGs emissions, line with goals European Union (EU) Green Deal 2021. For these reasons, present study, combined heat power generation potentiality WP–DIS blends through gasification combination an internal combustion engine is numerically assessed first time. air process simulated by applying restricted chemical equilibrium approach identify optimum operating temperature (850 °C) equivalence ratio (0.2). Electrical thermal potentiality, considering production EU 2019, estimated be ranges 32,950–35,700 GWh 52,190–56,100 GWh, respectively. Thus, can support between 25 28% electrical 44–48% demand manufacturing sector, CO2 emission range 24.8–28.9 Gt.