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System development and self-sustainability analysis for upgrading human waste to power

Author

Listed:
  • Liu, Ming
  • Woudstra, T.
  • Promes, E.J.O.
  • Restrepo, S.Y.G.
  • Aravind, P.V.

Abstract

This paper presents a system to upgrade faecal matter in an environmentally friendly way by the deployment of plasma gasification and SOFC (solid oxide fuel cells). The entire system chain, including a dryer, a microwave-assisted plasma gasifier, a gas processing system and an SOFC system, is studied to evaluate system performance and self-sustainability. The effects of gas processing approach, moisture content and oxidant-to-fuel ratio on system self-sustainability are studied in detail. The results show that the variables aforementioned strongly affect system performance. It is recommended to deploy the approach of adding air, a mild moisture content (30% by weight) and an intermediate oxidant to fuel ratio (1.05 kg kg−1) to achieve enhanced system performance under the conditions studied.

Suggested Citation

  • Liu, Ming & Woudstra, T. & Promes, E.J.O. & Restrepo, S.Y.G. & Aravind, P.V., 2014. "System development and self-sustainability analysis for upgrading human waste to power," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 377-384.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:68:y:2014:i:c:p:377-384
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2014.03.005
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wang, M.J. & Huang, Y.F. & Chiueh, P.T. & Kuan, W.H. & Lo, S.L., 2012. "Microwave-induced torrefaction of rice husk and sugarcane residues," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 37(1), pages 177-184.
    2. Hong, Yong C. & Lee, Sang J. & Shin, Dong H. & Kim, Ye J. & Lee, Bong J. & Cho, Seong Y. & Chang, Han S., 2012. "Syngas production from gasification of brown coal in a microwave torch plasma," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 47(1), pages 36-40.
    3. Lupa, Christopher J. & Wylie, Steve R. & Shaw, Andrew & Al-Shamma'a, Ahmed & Sweetman, Andrew J. & Herbert, Ben M.J., 2013. "Gas evolution and syngas heating value from advanced thermal treatment of waste using microwave-induced plasma," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 1065-1072.
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    Cited by:

    1. Alvaro Fernandes & Joerg Brabandt & Oliver Posdziech & Ali Saadabadi & Mayra Recalde & Liyuan Fan & Eva O. Promes & Ming Liu & Theo Woudstra & Purushothaman Vellayan Aravind, 2018. "Design, Construction, and Testing of a Gasifier-Specific Solid Oxide Fuel Cell System," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-17, July.
    2. Bhattacharya, Madhuchhanda & Basak, Tanmay, 2016. "A review on the susceptor assisted microwave processing of materials," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 306-338.
    3. Patel, H.C. & Tabish, A.N. & Comelli, F. & Aravind, P.V., 2015. "Oxidation of H2, CO and syngas mixtures on ceria and nickel pattern anodes," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 154(C), pages 912-920.
    4. Baldinelli, Arianna & Barelli, Linda & Bidini, Gianni, 2015. "Performance characterization and modelling of syngas-fed SOFCs (solid oxide fuel cells) varying fuel composition," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 90(P2), pages 2070-2084.
    5. Recalde, Mayra & Woudstra, Theo & Aravind, P.V., 2018. "Renewed sanitation technology: A highly efficient faecal-sludge gasification–solid oxide fuel cell power plant," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 222(C), pages 515-529.

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