Waste-to-energy conversion technologies in the UK: Processes and barriers – A review

Abstract This paper reviews the sector of waste-to-energy looking at main processes and feedstock involved. Within this, incineration, gasification, pyrolysis, anaerobic digestion hydrothermal liquefaction are named discussed. Through discussions scrutiny, manure is highlighted as a significant source ammonia, methane, nitrogen oxides emission, estimated to be 40%, 22.5% 28% respectively total UK's anthropogenic emissions. Manure, indeed pollution it poses, shown remain largely ignored. In waste energy processing, capable providing biogas for number pathways including electricity generation. Anaerobic suitable process with crucial capability drastically reducing potential slurry compared no up 90% reduction in methane 50% oxide If majority 90 million tonnes UK were processed through harvesting, this could have producing more than 1.615 TWh electricity. As such, economics legislation surrounding implementation end, restraining factors that limit digesters on farms These found mainly capital costs, lack grants, insufficiently high tariff systems, rather low gas yields from slurry.