Comparative Life Cycle Economic Assessment of Treatment Technologies for Converting Municipal Solid Waste into Bio-Energies

Life cycle economic assessment serves a vital role in evaluating sustainability across various industries. This study aims to conduct a comparative life cycle economic analysis of different conversion technologies to identify the most viable options for treating Municipal Solid Waste (MSW). It specifically examines six different scenarios based on these conversion technologies: anaerobic digestion for heat and electricity, anaerobic digestion for household biogas, anaerobic digestion for fuel gas, pyrolysis for electricity, fermentation for bioethanol, and landfill gas collection for household use. A case study was conducted in Aradkooh, Iran. The results reveal that the landfill gas collection scenario is the most economically viable option, with a net present value (NPV) of ۵.۲۸ million. In contrast, the fermentation scenario shows an NPV of -۱,۲۰۹ million, highlighting its significant economic shortcomings. The sensitivity analysis demonstrates that the most influential factors in enhancing the NPV are the operational efficiency of the conversion technologies and the market prices for bio-energies. It is highly recommended that stakeholders secure sufficient funding to improve treatment technology readiness. Additionally, the government should take proactive steps to attract venture capital in this sector by developing strong infrastructure and offering compelling incentives. To promote sustainable decision-making, it is essential to conduct comprehensive environmental and social assessments along with economic evaluations before implementing any conversion technologies.

کلیدواژه ها:

Bioenergy ، Economic Assessment ، treatment technology ، life cycle