If you define energy as chemicals, then yes there is a very efficient way to convert high moisture content low caloric value organic waste into energy.  The process is called Managed Ecosystem Fermentation.  It is based on the digestive system of a ruminant animal.  Unlike anaerobic digestion, MEF is not focused on the production of methane.  It is focused on the production of high value chemicals that are produced in the biological process.  Attached are three papers that describe the process; two are published and one is awaiting publication.

Dear All,

Thanks for YOUR updates.

By the way, is there any efficient method ( mechanised ones ) for RDF or Waste to Electricity etc. to take care of the biodegradable portion of MSW, that too with high Moisture Content and low calorific value? If yes, what is their success rate / limitations etc.?

Thanks and Regards.

Dear Eng. Nripendra Sarma please post your question with regard to "Is there an efficient method for "Waste to Energy" approach to take care of MSW with high moisture content and low calorific value?".

"waste to energy" requires contributions from many disciplines engineering, biology, chemistry etc like waste or energy matters.

For a start it would be helpful to obtain brief information on the following:

1. The size of the city (i.e. the number of inhabitants).

2. a breakdown of the waste stream (biodegradable, non-biodegradables, organics, non-organics, etc.).

3. At the moment what kind of separation exists in the city of interest. Try to make a powerpoint presentation with this information.

4. Population density map of the city and outskirts of the city.

5. A road map of the city. Mr Moharana Choudhury has a lot of experience with GIS , so hopefully Mr Moharana can help you with this matter.

6. If possible re-analyze and re-characterize the waste-stream in order to update the waste management database ...

For most part this group and the following groups will be used to discuss.

Energy, Renewable Energy & Alternate Sources of Energy (IDEH)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/643246665741643/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Solid.Waste.IDEH/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Solid.Waste.IDEH/

"Is there an efficient method for "Waste to Energy" approach to take care of MSW with high moisture content and low calorific value?

The Integrated Solid Waste Management is one of the ways to make the Cities / Towns Green. Although, it is widely accepted that the Options can be implemented successfully with active Community participation, yet sometimes the effective Community participation might not be ensured due to the cosmopolitan nature in the localities. In that situation, few mechanised Options might be necessary to be implemented as a 'ready to achieve', like Waste Converter, Waste to Energy approach etc.

However, the nature of Municipal Solid Waste is a such that the biodegradable portion has a moisture content in the range of 60 - 70% and that too with a low calorific value.

For that is there any efficient method for "Waste to Energy" approach to take care of the biodegradable portion of MSW?

Thanks and Regards.

Nripendra Kumar Sarma

Nagaon, Assam, India"

- Is_there_an_efficient_method_for_Waste_to_Energy_approach_to_take_care_of_MSW_with_high_moisture_content_and_low_calorific_value

Much Information is hear-  

Waste-to-energy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waste-to-energy

News and Information about Waste to Energy Technology.

http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/technology/garbage-energy/

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Alternative energy news, and information about renewable energy technologies.

http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/waste-renewable-energy-source/

The Cleantech Report 192 3.4.3: Waste to Energy | Waste

http://www.e-renewables.com/documents/Waste/Waste%20to%20Energy%20-%20The%20Basics.pdf

NEW DELHI:As the residents in the national capital grapple with an acute power crisis, the New Delhi Municipal Council is doing its bit to ease the situation by daily contributing 16MW of electricity generated from solid waste to 8,000 households in the city.  - http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-06-15/news/50598198_1_waste-to-energy-plant-plant-site-new-delhi-municipal-council

According to the NDMC officials, the plant will generate 24 MW of electricity on daily basis after consuming 1,200 tonnes of municipal waste.  - http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-newdelhi/delhi-to-get-its-second-wastetoenergy-plant/article4786365.ece

We have a 10 MW plant using Municipal waste in Sri Lanka

http://www.earthwatts.com/biomass-projects/western-power-company-pvt-ltd-western-power.html  &

The International Finance Corporation is reported to be considering providing USD9 million in debt and equity funding for a project in Sri Lanka that will sell electricity produced from the incineration of municipal waste.

RenewGen Enviro Ventures India Pvt won a 25-year contract to build and operate a 10-MW plant in Sri Lanka’s Western Province, according to a summary of the proposed funding on the IFC’s website.

The USD29 million project will be able to incinerate as much as 580 metric tons a day of solid municipal waste. Japan’s Hitachi Zosen Corp will provide the technology and the electricity will be sold to the Ceylon Electricity Board, according to IFC.

 http://www.cleanbiz.asia/news/ifc-mulls-investment-sri-lankan-waste-energy-plant#.VQZrstXF-MI

Development of a small scale IGCC power plant using solid waste

at Hambantota, Sri Lanka  - Municipal Solid waste production is significantly high in Hambantota district, Sri Lanka with the industrialization and urbanization due to ongoing development projects. Since Hambantota is an ancient agricultural city the agricultural waste production is also relatively higher compare to other districts. Cubic Tons of paddy wastes such as rice husk, rice straws are burnt out annually.

Rice husk production per day is around 130Tons in Hambantota district. Therefore proper waste management methods should be implemented at source level to avoid health, social, economic and political issues and concerns raised with the increasing wastes.

Electricity maintains the country’s economy live and keeps it growing. Sri Lanka, which is rapidly developing country after the three decades of ethnic conflict, has electricity demand with increasing and alarming rate. New thermal power generation projects are under implementation stage to cater to the increasing power demand.

   http://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:697355/FULLTEXT01.pdf

Hi  Nripendra, I will suggest using the hydrothermal carbonisation (HTC) process. It is useful for waste streams containing high amount of moisture (up to 95% or more) with low energy value. HTC is a thermochemical process, and involves heating the wet waste at moderate temperatures (between 180 - 250 deg C) in an oxygen free medium for minutes or some hours. The major product is the carbonised solids (called "hydrochar"), along with liquid by-products containing dissolved organics and gaseous-phase (mainly carbon dioxide).

The hydrochar has calorific value similar to that of low-rank coals and can be combusted to produce energy or converted to syn-gas via gasification. The liquid fraction contains dissolved organics (and rich in volatile fatty acids - VFAs) so can be digested anaerobically to product methane (biogas).

The process itself is exothermic, so the energy generated during the thermal degradation of the waste can be recovered.

Dry fermentation. you can use this kind of MSW directly to produce biogas. The water content of 60-70% is just right for dry fermentation.