Energy based approaches to integrated waste management

The fast and unrestrained growth of population and the changes in the life style of people have brought problems. Economic progress causes intensification of energy demand, and increase of population provokes boost of waste amount. As a result, complications in energy supply, waste management sector are commenced.Waste is a significant source of energy. Here we should take into account that composition of waste plays a significant role in energy recovery potential. Recapture of energy from waste creates important advantages as electricity, heat or power by using various techniques. It is necessary to mentioned that for all of these activities accurate planning, financing, collection and transportation are asset.Current waste management practices in Turkey mainly consider environmentally acceptable disposal of solid waste as a priority issue. Solid waste is generally disposed of by landfilling after a partial recycling. Energy recovery from solid waste is not applied widely. Hence, there is a great potential for waste-to-energy recovery projects in Turkey.With considering the potential and the needs in waste-to-energy recovery sector in Turkey, this study aims to define the principals of waste-to-energy recovery methods (i.e. gasification, incineration, pyrolysis and landfill), to evaluate and compare these methods in terms of technical applicability and financial feasibility and to conduct a baseline study for the assessment of waste-to-energy recovery method applicable in Turkey?s conditions. It also aims to develop waste management approach to integrated waste management systems.It was determined that difference in electric energy generation during waste-to-energy recovery processes (pyrolysis, incineration, gasification and landfilling) is not substantial; and characteristic such as economical and ecological constrains, land availability, political and cultural views may influence energy recovery option. The significant uncertainty in results for landfill gas recovery potential was found. The results for waste-to-electricity projects for Canakkale and Kusadasi sites are significantly fluctuated as compared to LFG potential results based on literature information and models approaches. Waste- to-electricity projects for Canakkale and Kusadasi sites can be reliable as electricity generated within them is enough to cover user?s needs for Canakkale or Aydin provinces. Moreover, Canakkale and Kusadasi projects are comparable with renewable energy assignments within country.