Advanced exergy analysis and environmental assesment of the steam cycle of an incineration system of municipal solid waste with energy recovery

Finally, a Life Cycle Analysis using the IMPACT Method 2002 + was carried out to determine environmental impacts of plant operation considering two cases: Reference Case (Case A) and the Improved One (Case B). Case B was divided in three comparative scenarios (B1, B2 and B3) which were considered to evaluate the environmental impact of plant operation and dislocation of primary energy. The results shows that reduction of avoidable exergy destruction in a steam generating cycle leads to an emission index reduction from 531 to −224 kg CO2eq/MWh, while a primary energy displacement about 3.69 kWh per unit of electric energy available was reached, using MSW as fuel in steam cycle.