Emerging approach to harness energy from solid waste: plasmagasification
Student name: Ms Sakshi
Guide: Dr V V N Kishore
Year of completion: 2013
Host Organisation: Solena-ABSi India Private Limited, Surajkund
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Dr Gaurav Mishra
Abstract: One of the most compelling challenges of 21st century is finding a way to meet sustainable
development in terms of energy as well as environment. From a recent study it has been found that
solid waste generated at domestic level is the single largest component of all wastes generated in our
country. A number of research studies have shown that somewhere 300 to 600 gm. of solid waste is
generated per person per day in our country.
Decomposition of solid waste produces waste that includes gases, of which methane and carbon
dioxide are the major constituents. Methane is a hazard because it is flammable and explosive as well
as greenhouse gases, which contribute towards global warming. Decomposition of waste in landfill
site produces contains trace gases that are detrimental to public health and the environment. Leachate
from the dumping site enters into the surface/ground water leading to water pollution.
Gasification is one of the means of transforming biomass and/or other solid waste so that they can be
so that it can be more easily utilized as a renewable source to extract energy and fuels. This project
aims at studying emerging approach to harness energy from solid waste using Plasma Gasification.
Plasma gasification is an enabling technology for transforming such waste into valuable Syngas and a
vitrified slag by means of thermal energy generated by plasma. The inference results in presenting a
promising technology for processing waste and generating power.
Keywords: Plasma Gasification, MSW, Syngas, Power
