Systelll s Evaluation of Refuse as a Low Sulfur Fuel Part I-The Value of Refuse Energy and the Cost of its Recovery

Part 1 is the first part in a series dealing with utilization of municipal solid waste �s an auxiliary fuel for utility class steam generators. It considers the resource characteristics of refuse as a fuel and the eco­ nomics of such use in comparison with conventional disposal techniques. The primary objective was to establish the impact such refuse use would have, if extensively practiced in waste management opera­ tions, on the reduction of sulfur oxide emissions. Ac­ cordingly, mixed municipal refuse was parameterized as a fuel material; this included the development of projections dealing with future inventories, composi­ tions, and calorific values. A design and performance analysis was then made of a number of steam gener­ ator configurations having demonstrated or potential application for refuse-firing. This part presents cost data for the turbo-electric systems regarded as opti­ mum in this systems analysis. The conclusion drawn is that the refuse-fired steam generator will become, if it has not already, the most cost effective means for waste disposal for most of the large metropolitan areas of the United States.