Introduction
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region offer almost 45 per cent of the world's total energy potential from all renewable sources that can generate more than three times the world's total power demand. KSA has abundant biomass energy resources which have remained unexplored to a great extent. The potential of sources of Biomass is illustrated in According to conservative estimates, the potential of biomass energy in the KSA region is about 40TWh per year. In KSA, pollution of the air and water from municipal, industrial and agricultural operations continues to grow. The technological advancements in the biomass energy industry, ushering in a new era of energy as well as environmental security for KSA offers the potential to enter the market at the development stage. remarkably increased in importance in major countries of the region. Since the early 1990s, the increased agricultural output stimulated an increase in fruit and vegetable canning as well as juice, beverage, and oil processing in KSA.
Technologies Available
There are several treatment options used in Europe and increasingly in the UK. They include:
ANAEROBIC DIGESTION (AD)
AD can only be used to treat biodegradable material, such as garden and food waste. The material is put into a closed container without oxygen. Bacteria break down the waste creating biogas that can be used as fuel or burned to create heat or electricity. A fibre is produced which can be used as a nutrient-rich soil conditioner. A liquid is also produced which can be used as a fertiliser.
MECHANICAL BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT (MBT)
The term MBT can cover several different combinations of mechanical sorting and biological processes. The waste can either be sorted, recyclables removed and then treated biologically by AD with any non-biodegradable waste sent to landfill. Or the waste can be dried and then sorted into recyclables going for recycling. The waste leftover can either be processed further as fuel, used as a low-grade soil conditioner or sent to landfill.
ENERGY FROM WASTE (EFW) CREATING ELECTRICITY/HEAT (INCINERATION)
EFW burns waste in large containers to over 900oC with enough oxygen that the waste is fully burnt. The heat created is put through a boiler to generate steam. The steam is then used to drive a turbine which makes electricity or is used for heating. 'Bottom ash' is produced which can be recycled into aggregate. The residues from the air pollution control systems 'fly ash' which are produced are hazardous and require disposal at special landfill sites.
ADVANCED THERMAL TREATMENT (ATT)
There are 2 main forms of ATT:
- Pyrolysis heats the waste to between 3000C and 850oC without oxygen. A 'syngas' is produced which can be combusted. The hot gases are fed through a heat exchanger where steam is produced and fed through a steam turbine to generate energy. Or the syngas is refined to a high quality and used in a gas engine to produce electricity. Solid waste is also produced called ‘char' which requires specialist disposal.
- Gasification is a similar process to pyrolysis but heats the waste at higher temperatures, above 650oC, but with some oxygen. The amounts of oxygen are not enough for the waste to be fully burnt. A 'syngas' is produced that can generate electricity and heat in the same way as for pyrolysis. There is a potential market to recycle the ash into aggregate for the construction industry.
RECOMMENDATION
When people think about solid waste management, they likely associate it with MSW being dumped in landfills or incinerated. While such activities comprise an important part of the process, a variety of elements is involved in the creation of an optimal integrated solid waste management (ISWM) system. For example, treatment techniques act to reduce the volume and toxicity of solid waste. These steps can transform it into a more convenient form for disposal. Waste treatment and disposal methods are selected and used based on the form, composition, and quantity of waste materials. KSA has an abundance and diverse sources of Biomass which can be transformed or recycled into a useful saleable product.
Waste 2 Energy companies vary in size and financial status, wastes are diverse in nature and the Waste 2 Energy companies processes also vary therefore a one process fits all solution is not possible KSA nor anywhere else in the world as the Waste 2 Energy companies have their own solutions for the individual waste streams so, therefore, specialise in a particular technology which accommodates those particular waste streams.
Should the client wish to proceed to enter the waste 2 energy market Tech Universal Group recommend a desktop study is carried to determine
- wastes types (industries, municipalities, agriculture etc)
- waste amounts
- Aeration tank
- and recommend suitably technologies, strategies and suitable contractors.
- budget costings
Tech Universal Group then undertakes the following services to get to the funding stage.
- Viability/Feasibility Report undertaken by Professional Engineering Organisation
- Grid Connection Report
- EIA
All funders require the above as a prerequisite for successful funding applications. Contractors reports will not be accepted by funders
Once the contract is let Tech Universal Group could undertake all supervision services and to act for the client as the Engineer.
