Abstract This chapter highlighted conventional and advanced waste treatment
technologies in details, for sustainable wastes management. The chapter also
reviewed Supercritical Water Biomass Gasification (SCWBG) from Municipal
Solid Waste (MSW) at the temperature and pressure of 700
C and 350 bar, respectively. The findings show that gasification of organics from MSW using Supercritical Water Gasification (SCWG) technology can be a potential solution to the
increasing biodegradables in the municipal solid wastes. However, with the ability
of the system to allow the complete gasification of biomass below the working
temperatures, this makes it even more attractive technology for sustainable wastes to
wealth. With the wide varieties of sustainable fuels and chemicals that can be
generated in the process, Supercritical Water Gasification (SCWG) technology can
be a candid sustainable and economical energy solution for power generation and
transport renewable fuel for automobiles (methane and hydrogen gas).
Keywords Biomass, Municipal solid wastes, Supercritical water gasification,
Waste treatment technologies, Waste to energy
1 Introduction
The global energy sector is making efforts in turning waste to wealth especially in
consideration of the global energy security and its allusion to global warming and
climate change. In recent years, the municipal solid waste disposed of in most the
developed, developing and underdeveloped countries has become a major challenge
to the environment [1–3]. The global environmental problems related to municipal
solid wastes (MSW) make it necessary for the discovery of the methods that can be
used in converting waste to wealth. The traditional method of MSW disposal
(Landfill) if not controlled properly is not only harmful and misappropriating the
land for human but also contributes to the deteriorating of the climate, human health
and great agent in the emission of greenhouse gases [4].
The composition of MSW varies from one country to another and from time to
time. However, the most important aspect is that the per capita MSW generation
defends on the economy of a giving country. The global composition of municipal
solid waste (MSW) is mainly organic matters comprising about 51%, recyclables
17.5% and the rest including inert waste having 31% of the proportion. This
heterogeneous nature of MSW makes it a very good alternative source of fuel for
the global energy sector. The energy derived from MSW is already classified as a
renewable source of energy because, if the waste is not treated, it will be dangerous
to the fauna and flora, as well as a considerable source of greenhouse gases.
At present, much has not been done in developing and underdeveloped countries
on waste management and disposal. Even waste to energy (WtE), which is among
the most common technologies that are well developed and established across the
178
A. A. Gado et al.
technologies in details, for sustainable wastes management. The chapter also
reviewed Supercritical Water Biomass Gasification (SCWBG) from Municipal
Solid Waste (MSW) at the temperature and pressure of 700
C and 350 bar, respectively. The findings show that gasification of organics from MSW using Supercritical Water Gasification (SCWG) technology can be a potential solution to the
increasing biodegradables in the municipal solid wastes. However, with the ability
of the system to allow the complete gasification of biomass below the working
temperatures, this makes it even more attractive technology for sustainable wastes to
wealth. With the wide varieties of sustainable fuels and chemicals that can be
generated in the process, Supercritical Water Gasification (SCWG) technology can
be a candid sustainable and economical energy solution for power generation and
transport renewable fuel for automobiles (methane and hydrogen gas).
Keywords Biomass, Municipal solid wastes, Supercritical water gasification,
Waste treatment technologies, Waste to energy
1 Introduction
The global energy sector is making efforts in turning waste to wealth especially in
consideration of the global energy security and its allusion to global warming and
climate change. In recent years, the municipal solid waste disposed of in most the
developed, developing and underdeveloped countries has become a major challenge
to the environment [1–3]. The global environmental problems related to municipal
solid wastes (MSW) make it necessary for the discovery of the methods that can be
used in converting waste to wealth. The traditional method of MSW disposal
(Landfill) if not controlled properly is not only harmful and misappropriating the
land for human but also contributes to the deteriorating of the climate, human health
and great agent in the emission of greenhouse gases [4].
The composition of MSW varies from one country to another and from time to
time. However, the most important aspect is that the per capita MSW generation
defends on the economy of a giving country. The global composition of municipal
solid waste (MSW) is mainly organic matters comprising about 51%, recyclables
17.5% and the rest including inert waste having 31% of the proportion. This
heterogeneous nature of MSW makes it a very good alternative source of fuel for
the global energy sector. The energy derived from MSW is already classified as a
renewable source of energy because, if the waste is not treated, it will be dangerous
to the fauna and flora, as well as a considerable source of greenhouse gases.
At present, much has not been done in developing and underdeveloped countries
on waste management and disposal. Even waste to energy (WtE), which is among
the most common technologies that are well developed and established across the
178
A. A. Gado et al.