WTE (Waste-to-Energy) resource and techno-economic analysis of biogas from WWTP biosolids authors

Waste is under-utilized feedstock with collection infrastructure already in place. Waste-to-energy (WTE) technologies can position at near-term market entry point with wide spectrum of end-products (fuels, chemicals and power) while mitigating methane emissions from current waste treatment. Among various wastes, municipal solid waste and biosolids have potential to produce about 590 TBtu (equivalent to 5 billion gallons of gasoline) annually. Use of biogas-derived fuels in the transportation sector can substantially reduce GHG emissions and can serve to promote effective organic waste management, as well as efficient biogas production, recovery, and utilization. Economic viability has yet to be addressed for widespread deployment of WTE pathways for better utilization of biosolids. Thus, the techno-economic analysis (TEA) was performed for converting biosolids to biogas via anaerobic digestion then upgrading the biogas to various energy products (power, gas and liquid fuel) in this paper. Analyses were performed to identify key cost drivers in order to provide options to support the renewed focus in this field. This work summarizes the key quantification of the progress made by this project, key findings, and key challenges in WTE technology development. In addition, a few areas of high-priority research and analysis are recommended for future work. Establishing strategic cost models from the bottom-up helps us to understand the technical feasibility of meeting top-down cost targets in the near long-term deployment.   Other more advanced technologies will be considered in the future to understand the economic viability of the conversion technologies using biogas as well as using other wet wastes.