Waste to Energy: Challenges, Opportunities, and Feasibility Study for Small and Medium-sized Communities

Plasma gasification is relatively new but has versatile applications with some wastes to energy pilots’ deployment. Thermal plasma treatment has been regarded as a viable alternative for the treatment of highly toxic wastes, such as incinerator residues, radioactive wastes, Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) and medical wastes. The Plasma gasification process converts organic matter into synthetic gas, electricity, and slag using plasma.
This project will not only effectively handle the Waste management processes for Merivale Waste Management Limited but also position her as the first Waste Management Company in the province of Nova Scotia, Canada to construct and operate a Modular Waste-to-Energy Plant, a step interpreted as “inventing the future for the next 50–60 years” according to an excerpt from a publication by the Solid Waste Unit/Nova Scotia Environment.
The Modular Waste-to-Energy plant is expected to process 50-100 tons of solid waste per day to generate 1.00-1.5MW of electricity. In addition, the build-up should also make provision for the removal and sale of recyclable materials and glassy by-product.
The aim of this project is to generate electricity to rural regions in the Cape Breton Municipality (Alder points, Little Bras D’or, Enon etc.) by locating the plant at strategic locations near these communities.

Faculty Supervisor:

Hamid Afshari

Student:

Partner:

Merivale Waste Management

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services

University:

Cape Breton University

Program: