Techno-economic assessment of a novel integrated system of mechanical-biological treatment and valorisation of residual municipal solid waste into hydrogen: A case study in the UK

Resources embedded in the waste streams are often not properly recovered and mostly ended up landfills or only as energy via energy-from-waste (EfW) facilities. Innovative resource recovery from strategies urgently needed to maximise efficiency, divert reduce reliance on EfW. This study proposes a novel mechanical-biological treatment with valorisation concept (MBT-v) that combines material fuel production, alternatives EfW for residual municipal solid (MSW) treatment. The polygeneration feature exhibited by MBT-v system enhances efficiency product diversification. proposed involves of rejected materials MBT into hydrogen incorporating an additional gasification system. A comprehensive techno-economic assessment is conducted compared against conventional MBT. results reveal strongly relies gate fees be economically viable while it heavily impacted rejects disposal cost. analysis also shows higher economic potential (36.4 M£/y) can obtained (3.4 100 kt/y MSW minimum selling price (MHSP) Gasification-H2 estimated at 3.4 £/kg (28.3 £/GJ), further reduction through upscaling facility. concludes producing high value such (with current assumed market 10 £/kg) significantly improve performance minimise financial instability It recommended scale optimal configuration designed based local conditions.