criteria for selection of innovative waste-to-energy conversion technologies
TRANSCRIPT
Coauthored with John Baker 5-9-13 for presentation at the A&WMA-LMSS
Annual Waste Conference – Oak Brook, Illinois
Waste 2013: The Next Generation
Incineration;
Waste to Energy IncudesAnaerobic Digestion;
Waste to Syngas
Ability to Recover Recyclables Upfront
Sustainability, environmental, economic and a philosophy of zero-waste-to-landfill drive consideration
Municipalities have goals to meet
State mandates
Environmental groups fear WtE will reduce recycling
Increases BTU value of remaining feedstock
Recovers inert material that does not add to energy
Beneficial Use of Waste and Marketability of Products
All WtE systems create residues
Incinerator ash is mostly landfilled
Digesters have sludge and wastewater
Sludge can be composted and nutrients recovered from wastewater
Gasifiers create either a powder-like ash can be used as soil or cement additive or vitrified ash (high temperature Plasma) can be used as construction materials
All WtE projects must take in to account all residuals requiring disposal and the potential marketability of residuals that may be recycled
Non-recyclable waste diversion rate
Important to clients that have Corporate mandate for “Zero” waste to landfills
State mandates and EPA waste management hierarchy has landfill ranked last
Environmentalists favor highest diversion rates from landfill
The cost savings associated with diversion (equivalent to savings from avoiding tip fees) oftentimes drives the initial economics of waste-to-energy implementations
Experience and FinancialResources of Company
Management team important especially if the only offer on the table is a turnkey installations
Management team needs to have technical resources for on-going support of WtE that are sold
WtE company needs to have financial resources to have guarantees and post performance bonds, etc.
WtE company financials need to show they will continue to exist in order to support the technology
Facility Size (acres and height) and Design Flexibility, including Design
Soundness, Monitoring and Controls, Safety and Hygiene
Based on feedstock (i.e., waste) tons(gallons)/day capacity, with fuel flexibility important in influencing economics
Ability to fit seamlessly for on-site WtE operations
Easy to operate automatically and monitor remotely
Needs to be safe and have safety approvals- like UL, CE, etcfor local codes/regulations
Feasibility of obtaining all construction and operating permits
Political and environmentalist climate
Public/community relations
State and Federal Agency experience with permitting similar technologies
Local regulatory support
Attainment vs. non-attainment considerations for air permit
More environmental permitting challenges are usually experienced in terms of length of approval process and technology review if hazardous wastes are utilized
Ownership Preference
If client wants to own a new technology, starting with a lease may be preferable so can gain on-site experience and confidence in eventually buying the technology
Most technologies need to have trained operators
Material handling experience is required
Some vendors will only provide turnkey systems for concerns of inappropriate operations could cause system failures
Pre-processing of Fuel Mix
Determine if material handling/pre-processing is included in price/lease of equipment
Varies by technology- some take in waste “as-is”
Some require shredding/sizing
Some require RDF or pelletizing to certain size and dryness (e.g., 15% moisture)
Some require additional small amounts of fossil fuel/catalysts, etc.
Readiness and Reliability, Including Data/Information on Existing Plants and
Client References
Is technology been proven with 3rd party engineering studies?
Has the technology been commercially proven and meeting performance efficiencies, environmental and compliance permit requirements?
Are plant tours available?
Can delivery schedules be met or are there back-log issues?
Risk Allocation
Technology insurable?
Performance bond rating.
Shared risk?
Experience with solving problems at operating plants (e.g., retrofits, redesigns, etc)
Rough Estimate of Capital, Operating, Financing, and Tip Fees - Use of Waste
and Marketability of Products
Proforma for 15-20 year operating life including labor, consumable materials, parasitic load factors, feedstock contracts, recycling contracts for residuals, ROI,
Comparisons of existing options for waste disposal
Energy incentives, government grants, low interest lending programs for renewable energy projects can play an important role in initiating a waste-to-energy project
Standard Contractual Termsand Conditions
Evaluation of supplier contracts for turnkey, sale or lease options
Legal review
Non-performance criteria
Thermal and Energy Efficiency
Compare energy output per volume/ton of waste among suppliers reviewed
Some have capx higher for the same waste capacity but have higher energy production
Utility Needs
Sewer, water, electrical, fossil fuel needs
New construction required or existing on-site
Thank You!