Evaluation of RDF power generation of large-area waste treatnment by LCA

In this study, the viability of RDF power generation is evaluated from the viewpoint of energy saving and the reduction of CO2 emissions by analyzing operations at the Kashima RDF power plant, which has been running since fiscal year 2001. The purpose of this study is to consider the thermal recycling system most suitable for a given area. RDF has the advantages of being easy to transport and store and has a high calorific value. On the other hand, it has the disadvantage of requiring extra energy for manufacturing RDF itself. Kashima City, Kamisu Town and Hasaki Town run the Kashima RDF power generation operation. Although power generation and heat supply were originally planned, the latter was abandoned because of the lack of demand in this area. In this study, Kashima City and Kamisu Town are regarded as the study area since the Hasaki RDF center has not yet started operating. LCA (Inventory Analysis) is adopted as an evaluation method in this study In the application range of LCA, not only the operating process but also the construction and dismantling processes are included. Five cases are evaluated from the viewpoint of saving energy and the reduction of CO2 emission to find the most suitable RDF power generation system. From the result of detailed analysis of each life cycle process in the present operation, it was found that the introduction of RDF power generation did not produce much advantage under present conditions. However, it was found that it would save energy and reduce CO2 emissions if it were used to produce significant electrical output by large-area waste treatment.