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GENERATION OF ELECTRICITY USING SOLID WASTE IN CHITTAGONG

MUNICIPALITY

Thesis · April 2019

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.22595.22568

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Md Ariful Islam Raton Nondy

Jahangirnagar University International University of Business Agriculture and Technology
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 GENERATION OF ELECTRICITY USING SOLID WASTE IN
CHITTAGONG MUNICIPALITY
__________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________

A Thesis Submitted

In Fulfillment of the Requirements for the

Degree of Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Name of the Student: Faizul Abrar

Student ID: 11205075

Department: BSEEE

Name of the Student: Md. Ariful Islam

Student ID: 13305076

Department: BSEEE

To the

Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering

College of Engineering and Technology (CEAT)
IUBAT-International University of Business Agriculture and Technology

April, 2019

i
 Approval of the Supervisor

This thesis “Generation of Electricity Using Solid Waste in Chittagong Municipality”

submitted byFaizul Abrar (ID: 11205075) and Md. Ariful Islam (ID: 13305076) to the
Department of EEE. IUBAT has been accepted as satisfactory for the partial of fulfillment
awarding the degree of “Bachelor in Electrical and Electronic Engineering” and found that
it has comply the partial fulfillment for awarding the degree of Bachelor in Electrical and
Electronic Engineering.

…………………………..
Dr. Raton Kumar Nondy
Associate Professor
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
IUBAT-International University of Business Agriculture and Technology

ii
 Author’s Declaration

The research represented in this Thesis has been performed under the supervision of Dr.
Raton Kumar Nondy. This work has been done wholly and mainly for the degree of
Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronic Engineering at IUBAT. Here we clearly
state that any part of this thesis has not been previously submitted for a degree at this
university or any other institution. Here we had quoted from the work of others, the sources
are given. With the acceptation of such quotations, this thesis is entirely our own work.

Faizul Abrar Md. Ariful Islam

ID# 11205075 ID # 13305076
Program: BSEEE Program: BSEEE

iii
 Acknowledgement

First and foremost, we are very thankful to Almighty Allah for providing us with the
patience and strength to go on and complete this thesis. We are grateful to our supervisor
Dr. Raton Kumar Nondy, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering of IUBAT-
International University of Business Agriculture and Technology University for his utmost
support as well as valuable suggestions and tireless guidance. We are also grateful to our
honorable Chair, Coordinator and Faculties for their kind help and suggestions.

Lastly, we offer our regards and gratitude towards all of our family members and those
who supported us from the beginning in any aspect during the completion of this research
works.

iv
 Abstract

In this research work a new approach to the conversion of solid waste to electrical energy
using Thermal Plasma Gasification method for Chittagong Municipality is proposed.
Plasma power plant can utilize existing landfill contents as a feedback, thus cleaning up
previously toxic sites and enabling them to be sold for other uses such as development. For
those conscious of the need to cut their Carbon footprint, its contribution to the
Environment is virtually nil. Analysis of the Plasma Gasification process has been shown
to have a negative carbon footprint in comparison to other forms of energy generation,
produce virtually zero emission and has the highest landfill diversion rate of any available
technology. While Plasma technology has been in use for many years it has only recently
developed as a waste management solution. This was partly because the conventional
landfill approach was considerably less expensive, even with transportation costs and gate
fees, and there was no regulated requirement for low carbon energy. However, which
increasing landfills diversion targets and renewable energy targets, the relative cost of the
technology has been transformed.

v
 Table of Contents

Approval of the Supervisor ii

Author’s Declaration iii

Acknowledgement iv

Abstract v

Contents vi-viii

Chapter 1: Introduction 9

1.1 Introduction 9-10

1.2 Objective 10

1.3 Methodology 10

1.4 Literature Assessment 11

1.4.1 Basic concept of Solid Waste 11

1.4.2 Primary Operational elements of Solid Waste control device 11-12

Chapter 2: An Overview of Solid Waste Management in Bangladesh 13

2.1 Background 13

2.2 MSW Generation in Bangladesh 13-15

2.3 MSW in Chittagong City 15-16

2.3.1 Waste Collection overview 16-19

2.3.2 Waste Disposal in Chittagong 19

2.3.3 Waste Recycling in Chittagong 20

2.4 Solid Management in Other major Cities of Bangladesh 20

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Chapter 3: Waste to Energy 21

3.1 WtE Overview 21-22

3.1.1 Pyrolysis 23

3.1.1.1 Records of Thermal Plasma Gasification system 23

3.1.1.2 An Introduction to Plasma Arc Gasification

Operation & basic concepts 24-25

3.1.1.3 An example of pyrolysis which can be

Implemented in Bangladesh 25

3.1.1.3.1 Background 25-27

3.1.1.3.2 Mechanism 28-32

3.1.1 Anaerobic digestion 32-33

3.1.2 Incineration Method to produce energy 34-35

Chapter 4: Environment Impacts 36

4.1 Overview of Power generation and impact on the

Environment in Bangladesh 36-40

4.2 Comparison between fossil fuel plants and WtE plants 40

4.2.1 In terms of biogas (an aerobic digestion) plant 40-41

4.2.2 In terms of plasma arc gasification 41

4.2.3 In terms of incineration method for combustion 41

4.3 CO2 Emission for grid power Generation 42

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Chapter 5: Electronic Waste 43

5.1 Definition of E-waste 43

5.2 Mass and findings of the appliances related to E-waste 43-45

5.3 Recycling and reusing E-waste 45-46

5.4 Chemical compositions of the E-waste 46

5.5 Processing of E-waste and its environmental impact 47

5.6 Electronic waste to conversion via Microbial Fuel cells 47-48

5.6.1 Principle of MFC and It’s working 48-49

5.6.2 Dimension analysis of the components of the MFCs 49

5.6.3 Quantity of the cells used, overall cost

(Estimated) and final result analysis 49

5.6.4 Comparison of the power densities between lithium-

ion batteries and MFC sbacked up by a month of E-waste 49-50

Chapter 6: Conclusion 51-52

References 53-54

viii
 CHAPTER 1
Introduction

1.1 Introduction
A critical increment of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) generation has been provoked to the
overpopulation, consumerism, urban and modern improvement and the variables like these
are consistently driving an exponential increment in rate of solid wastes to such a degree to
the point that it postures genuine risk to the regular habitat and putting weight on national
assets. Absence of appropriate transfer and frustrating condition of waste administration
has now turned into a worldwide concern which must be tended to taking effect right
now[1].

To dump filths transparently and wildly close destinations without appropriate supervision
hinders the whole urban seepage mechanism as well as it creates stationary water in this
way, which accelerates the pollution of water supply. This stances risk to the strength of
inhabitants of significant city enterprises of improving and recently promoted to
developing countries like ours[1].

The database in regards to the sorts, amount and attributes of waste alongside gathering,
activity, stockpiling, administration design and transfer are worse than average that it needs
work to a reasonable administration mechanism which requires instructive, institutional
and ecological maintainability[1].

With developing requests of power for the mass, industrial facilities, workplaces all
through the city and overly significant urban communities in Bangladesh there is an open
door utilizing the MSW to produce impressive quantity of power by methods for burning

ix
and thermal plasma arc gasification which should not be underestimated. Because of
fluctuating expenses of energizes and flammable gas, this procedure can be an option and
reasonable choice to determine the issue immediately and in the long run, for the upcoming
day[2].

1.2 Objective:
To discover new ways and choices of legitimate disposal of waste accumulation in mass
and overseeing those for controlling the production effectively is the main reason for this
research. This investigation will in the end help in sort of decision-making forms as to
receive the accompanying techniques or not. This observation includes managing measure
of waste production, attributes, administration mechanisms and conceivable cures of
various city organizations with respect to Bangladesh alongside the relative effects of the
surroundings. The factors that can be used are:

 Estimation of energy produced utilizing Municipal Solid Wastes as an

information.
 Estimation of the density of waste produced in various parts the all over the
country.
 Estimation of the offshoot created that can be reused for different purposes
and create techniques to check natural impacts if there is any.
 To convert waste into electrical energy.

1.3 Methodology:
The study uses both primary and secondary data. Primary data were collected from the
waste management department of City Corporations of Chittagong and personal interview
cleaners and community service provider of Chittagong City. Secondary data were
collected from different journals, dailies, official reports, NGO publications and various
wave sites.

x
1.4 Literature Assessment:
1.4.1 Basic concept of Solid Waste
Solid waste stands for municipal waste and falls under the following classes: residential
(household waste), industrial, institutional, street sweeping, construction, sanitation and
business[3]. Moreover, municipal strong or solid waste refers to solid wastes from homes,
streets and public locations, shops, workplaces, and hospitals, which might be extra
frequently the

obligation of municipal or different governmental authorities. Solid waste from commercial

approaches is normally no longer taken into consideration as municipal. However, in view
that this waste ultimately ends up within the municipal waste flow, it needs to be taken into
consideration whilst managing solid waste.

1.4.2 Primary Operational elements of Solid Waste control device:

The actions associated with management of SWM from the factor of production to proper
disposal are compiled into some simple practical factors[4].

 Waste production
 Waste managing, sorting and processing at the unit
 Gathering
 Handling and transformation
 Disposal

Practical elements are quite interconnected however they are not always presented in all
municipal solid waste management process.

xi
In lots of underdeveloped or growing nations the process is limited to

 Waste production
 Handling wastes at the unit
 Gathering
 Disposal at landfills

On the other hand, in most developed countries almost every functional element are
determining system.

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 CHAPTER 2
An Overview of Solid Waste Management in Bangladesh

2.1 Background
Humans and waste are directly proportional to each other. The more the humans the more
waste is produced. Bangladesh is a small country approximately 130,170 Km2 of land and
an estimated population of 165,998,382 which is 2.18% of the world population [18]. It is a
developing country so its standard of living is increasing day by day for which the
consumption of goods and energy is increasing.

Solid Waste management is the least prioritized sector not just in Bangladesh, but also in
developing countries. Solid Waste management is an important sector for the developing
countries. Due to poor solid waste management in Bangladesh it leads to health,
environmental problems and lowers the living standard of people. This happens due to lack
of proper management, knowledge, practices and funds. Government and both the people
give less or no attention to Waste Management.

Here, an overview of how wastes are produced, collected, disposed and types of wastes
produced in main cities of Bangladesh are given. Along with the comparison between other
countries are made where appropriate to show the condition of Bangladesh Solid Waste
Management. Suggestions on how Bangladesh should do or take steps for solid waste
management and how Bangladesh can be benefit through better solid waste managements.
Furthermore, better solution that is Waste to Energy process is discussed how it can help
Bangladesh to generate energy and dispose wastes in an effective manner while discussing
the current condition of electricity and renewable energy sectors in Bangladesh.

2.2 MSW Generation in Bangladesh

Not just humans and waste are directly proportional but also their economic growth and
living standard are directly proportional to waste. Normally higher per capita countries
consume more goods and produce higher wastes compared to the lower per capita

xiii
countries. But the lower per capita countries normally produce fewer renewable materials
compared to the higher per capita countries.

Chittagong, the capital city of Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated cities
Worldwide. Around 19 million people are living in Chittagong city that is 2900 people
approximately live in a square kilometer [19]. The highest waste is generated in Chittagong
compared to other major cities which is shown in table 2.

In the table below the growth rate and production of solid waste in Chittagong from 1991
to 2025:

Table 1.Urban solid waste production in Bangladesh.

Year Total urban Urban Waste population Total waste
population population rate (kg/cap/day) population
(%total) (ton/day)
1991 20872204 20.15 0.49* 9873.5
2001 28808477 23.39 0.5** 11,695
2004 32765152 25.08 0.5** 16,382
2025 78440000 40.0 0.6* 47,064

*Source: ADBI and ADB, 2000, **Zurbrugg 2002

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 Table 2: The table show how dangerously waste is increasing day by day. 7690 tons of
municipal solid waste (MSW) is generated in the major cities of Bangladesh[5].

Waste DCC CCC KCC RCC BCC SCC All waste

stream
Organic 3647 968 410 121 105 158 5409
matter
Paper 571 130 49 15 9 18 792
Plastic 230 37 16 7 5 8 303
Textile & 118 28 7 3 2 5 168
wood
Leather & 75 13 3 2 1 1 95
rubber
metal 107 29 6 2 2 2 148
glass 37 13 3 2 1 2 58
other 555 97 26 18 5 21 722
Total 5340 1351 520 170 130 215 7690
Population 11.00 3.65 1.5 0.45 0.4 0.5 ----------------
Per capital 0.485 0.360 0.347 0.378 0.325 0.43 0.387
(kg/day)

DCC=Dhaka city corporation, CCC=Chittagong city corporation, KCC=Khulna city

corporation, RCC=Rajshahi city corporation, BCC=Barisal city corporation, SCC=Sylhet
city corporation.

2.3 MSW in Chittagong City:

As mentioned, Chittagong is one of the densely populated cities and by 2020 the
population will rise above 20million[3]. Only around 50% waste is collected properly and
transported to the two landfills available and other wastes are disposed in unorganized and
unhygienic manner in different parts of the city. Chittagong annually generates around
1.7million of waste. 80% of the wastes are organic wastes such as food, cloth, agriculture
etc. The problem is Chittagong is growing at the higher rate and in an unplanned manner

for which the city is facing trouble with the waste management. In recent reports
Chittagong is marked as the most polluted city in the world according to the US Air
Quality Index (AQI). The AQI showed that the Chittagong city’s air has an index of 387,

xv
the most hazardous city[20]. In Chittagong around 0.29kg to 0.60 kg is generated per capita
by person in a day. The more the income the higher the tendency to generate more
waste[3]. Due to rapid increase in Urban population and industrialization waste
management have become the top priority for the government.

2.3.1 Waste Collection Overview:

Initially, Chittagong had only one governance body to look after the wastes that was
Chittagong City Corporation. Later, due to rapid increase of population and waste
management problems Chittagong City Corporation. Chittagong has 56wards both are
responsible to collect and supervise the waste produced in the wards.

Chittagong city generates around 4000-5000tons of waste per day. Chittagong collects
around 40% to 60% of the waste generated in the city. And the remaining is not collected
due to lack of proper transportation and funds, mainly the slums are neglected by the city
corporations[6]. As the wastes are not collected properly bad odors, rodents and sewer
drains. Mainly in the rainy seasons, the condition gets worst due to this lack of concern of
proper collection. But the condition has improved a bit and is improving due to two major
plans. First plan was initiated by Japan International.

Cooperation Agency (JICA) in 2005 with the objectives of formulating a master plan of
Chittagong City and to develop capabilities and management skills of the Chittagong City
Corporation. And the second plan 3R Strategy was undertaken in 2010 by Department of
Environment (DoE), Ministry of Environment and Forestry of the Government. The
principle of reducing, reusing and recycling of resources and products is often called the
3Rs [21].

xvi
CCC follows the same method for collection and transportation of the wastes. Small vans
are used to collect wastes from the households and then those are transported to the local
nearby stations or dump yard. City Corporations workers collect rest of the waste from the
roadsides as much as possible and take to the nearest dump yard or sites where big bins are
put by the City Corporation. Later big trucks or known as waste transportation truck of city
corporations transports the waste from the various big bins from part of the city to the two
main dump stations which are located at the Amin Bazar and Mutual Landfill. And the
remaining wastes remains on the roads, sidewalk and in the slam areas. As city
corporations do not collect waste due to insufficient man force and budget from the slam
areas were around 30% of the population of Chittagong lives.

xvii
 Teems CCC
Total Zones 5
Total Wards 57
Amount of Waste Generated (2012) 938 t/day
Amount of Waste collected (2012) 1400 t/day
Waste Disposal Site Mutual
Area of Disposal Site 40 hectares
Number of Waste management Officials 352
No. of Ward SWM Offices 10
Number of cleaners 5300
Waste Collection Vehicles 235
Table 3: Information of Solid Waste Management at CCC[7]

The transportation of the waste is not done in proper manner, the condition of the vehicles
is too poor. The vehicles were brought for safe and hygienic transfer of the wastes around
the city. But due to lack of proper management, the condition of the vehicles has become
poor. So, the wastes are transferred in unhygienic and improper manner. While transferring
the wastes the truck liters the wastes in the roads. Not only that due to poor trucks/vehicles
many types the wastes are not collected on proper time so wastes are piled up and the
conditions gets worst.

Few NGOs are working informally to solve the crisis created by the city corporations in the
slums by not collecting wastes from there properly. NGO’s are focusing on recycling
process in the slums.

xviii
 Month Waste (Ton)
January 69,142
February 63,446
March 72,948
April 71,780
May 84,076
June(2017) 86,594
July(2016) 65,966
August 74,853
September 67,408
October 66,485
November 63,493
December 66,200
Total 852,391
Table 4 : Waste Management in DNCC (Source: DNCC 2016/2017 annual report)[7]

2.3.2 Waste Disposal in Chittagong:

Proper Waste disposal is a big challenge for not only Chittagong or Bangladesh for the
World. Improper waste dumping causes hazardous problems like environment and health
problems. Dumpsites for municipal solid waste are situated on low-lying, flood-prone land.
They are not managed as sanitary landfills, apart from efforts by JICA and Waste Concern
at Mutual site.

The wastes are transferred to the two locations as mentioned. Most of solid waste was
disposed of at landfill sites without any intermediate treatment in Chittagong[8]. The
dumped solid wastes are dressed irregularly by pay-loaders, excavator, trouser, chain dozer
etc. Though through the intervention JICA the present condition of the landfills has
improved. JICA build the Amin Bazar landfill and improved the Mutual landfill. Major
clean landfill segments presented under the project of JICA. Steps like leachate collection
and gas venting systems, surface drainage improvement, proper collection of waste, waste
transporting vehicles being washed properly[7]. Both landfills now facilities the same way
but still not enough to tackle the waste disposal problem of Chittagong.

xix
2.3.3 Waste Recycling in Chittagong:

It is said that only 6% of the wastes are being recycled though mainly through informal
sector like waste pickers, plastic bottle collectors etc. The informal sector is playing a great
part in recycling the waste. This has huge scope of improvement. Chittagong city also need
to work on the recycling[8].

Material Estimated Estimated Recycle rate Contribution to

generation of recycled waste waste reduction
recyclables (t/d) (b/3,200)
(t/d)
Plastic 124 103 83% 3.2%
Paper 260 168 65% 5.3%
Glass 46 24 52% 0.8%
Metal 27 41 N/A 1.3%
Compostable 2211 6 0% 0.2%
Other 99 94 95% 2.9%
Total 2767 436 ---------------------- 13.6%
Table 5 : Estimated Volume of Recycled Wastes in Chittagong City[3]

2.4 Solid Management in Other major Cities of Bangladesh:

Not only in Chittagong but other major cities are now growing up with the waste problems.
On average all the major cities produce 0.40kg/day of wastes. None of the cities Dhaka,
Khulna, Sylhet, Rajshahi, Comilla, Gazipur and Narayanganj none of them have proper
solid waste management and which has been resulted into environment problems. Along
with Chittagong and Dhaka city’s waste management the government needs to work on
with the waste management of the other major cities.

xx
 CHAPTER 3

Waste to Electricity (WtE)

3.1 WtE Overview:

Around 2500 WtE plants are active all over the world and the disposal capacity has been
300 million tons per year. Moreover, around 280 thermal plants with a capacity of almost
75 million annual tons were constructed between 2011 and 2015. Again, there are various
ways of waste to energy conversion technologies and among more traditional approach is
direct incineration of solid wastes. Considering that 70s [9]. The advanced thermo-
chemical processes which include pyrolysis, gasification and plasma arc gasification are
quite evolved and experimentally carried out to choose waste streams on a minimal extent
in a particularly designed closed chamber with temperatures and pressures used to control
the parameters. Moreover, every generation makes use of various kind of requirements for
the input operating in particularly designed system configurations in special modes to
generate extensive variable products on different particular scales. towards the WtE
facilities. China has developed new CFB technology incineration method to burn waste to
produce energy which is better than the old incineration method. There are currently 28
CFB power plants in china and their research for suitable waste to power plant energy is
ongoing. Not only the WtE is beneficial for the environment but also economically
beneficial for the countries. The global WtE market was valued at US$25.32 billion in
2013, a growth of 5.5% on the previous year. WtE technologies based on thermal energy
conversion lead the market, and accounted for 88.2% of total market revenue in 2013[10].

The sections stated below state the thermo-chemical transformation technologies for
calorific waste treatment and a brief passage of situations mentioned in the table 3.1

Incineration: Incineration is all about full oxidative combustion. Also, similar process like
coal combustion.

xxi
Gasification: Gasification is mainly partial oxidation.

Pyrolysis: Pyrolysis is related to thermal degradation of natural material in situations

where oxygen isn’t present.

Plasma Arc Gasification is a combination of the organic fraction and vitrification of the
inorganic fraction of the waste feed and it is applicable to both pyrolysis and gasification.
About vitrification it can be said that it is responsible for impermeability of water [25].

Table 6: Reaction conditions and products from various thermos-chemical approaches

(based on Kolb and Seifert)

Name Pyrolysis Gasification Combustion Plasma Treatment

Temperature 250-900 500-1800 800-1450 1200-2000
[00C]
Pressure bar 1 1-45 1 1
Atmosphere Inert/Nitrogen Gasification Air Gasification
Agent: O2, Agent: O2, H2O
H2O Plasma Agent:
O2,N₂,Ar
Stoichiometric 0 <1 <1 <1
Ratio
Production from the process
Gas phase H2, CO, H2O, N2 H2, CO, CO2, H2, O2, H2, CO, CO2, CH4,
hydrocarbon CO2, CH4, N2 H2O, N2
H2O,N2
Solid phase Ash, Coke Slag.Ash Slag.Ash Slag.Ash
Liquid phase Pyrolysis/Water N/A N/A N/A

xxii
3.1.1 Pyrolysis
3.1.1.1 Records of Thermal Plasma Gasification system:
Gasification has turned out to be one of the first industrial thermo chemical methods.
Towards the termination of the 19th century all through the industrialization of Europe
gasification process was discovered, in general for producing oil and gas from coal, which
consists of mostly carbon. Using gasifiers decreased for petroleum was now simply more
available soon after WWII ended. Between mid-70s and 80s, using gasification for
generating alternative fuels started out. Even today, this utility has been the biggest use of
gasification. In the 80s, United States, Europe and Japan has centered at the improvement
of gasification for the elimination of rock-hard wastes. Today, there are around 150
industrial gasifiers all over the world. Those are specifically used to deal with coal and
biomass. Using gasification for MSW has been often implemented in Japan, in which their
shortage of area compelled them to discover options to landfilling. Additionally, Japan has
the only business plasma arc facility that treats municipal solid wastes, in Utshinai where
Hitachi metals is one of the operators. The thermo-select is a procedure made by the
Germans but due to a few technical problems it was shut down later on. Siemens faced
similar problems with waste gasification at their Furth plant which brought a critical twist
of fate, ensuing in plug of waste shaped in the pyrolysis chamber which created an
overpressure and get away of pyrolysis gas. Reputedly, this problem was the result of
processing mattresses that aren’t shredded at all and this problem instantly faded away in
later versions of the gasifier. But Germany is not thinking about the use of it. Other than
Germany, gasification is usually considered as a better opportunity compared to grate
combustion because it isn't related to the old and polluting incinerators. Therefore, there
may be a market for gasification in competition to grate combustion. Gasification is the
breakdown of the natural a part of the waste into synthesis fuel or syngas, which is a
combination of CO and H2, through carefully control and screen of the amount of oxygen
gift. The important thing difference from combustion is that the overshoot will be useful,
partly oxidized and the sub-stoichiometric quantity of oxidant permits preserving CO and
H2 as very last products instead of the completely oxidized CO2 and H2O [11].

xxiii
3.1.1.2 An Introduction to Plasma Arc Gasification Operation & Basic Concepts:
Plasma Arc Gasification is an upgraded version of pyrolysis that requires high-temperature
where the organics of waste solids are converted into syngas and inorganic materials and
minerals of the waste solids yield a rock alike glass referred to as vitrified slag. The syngas
is typically composed of H2 and CO and it is not a hydro-carbon product. The process
containing a reactor with a plasma torch processing organics of waste solids is called
plasma arc gasification. Commercially, the process is operated using an infusion of a
carbonaceous material like coal or similar material made of coal into the gasification
reactor. This material rapidly reacts with oxygen to create heat for the pyrolysis responses
in an oxygen-insufficient surrounding. Equation (3.6) demonstrates the carbonaceous
materials as C that can react with oxygen to create controlled burning yet with the
sufficient warmth required for the syngas reactions (Equations [3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4 and 3.5]).
Likewise, steam is added to the plasma arc gasification reactor to advance syngas
responses. The ignition responses (exothermic responses) supply warm with extra warmth
from the plasma circular segment lights for the pyrolysis responses (endothermic
responses), yielding a temperature normally within 4000⁰C and 7000⁰C. The inorganic
minerals of the waste solids create rock-like offshoots.

Since working conditions are high these minerals are changed over into a vitrified slag
regularly involving metals and silica glass. This vitrified slag is essentially non-filtering
and surpasses Environmental Protection Agency scales, shortly known as EPA scales.
Metals can be recuperated from the slag and the slag can be utilized to deliver other
offshoots, for example, shake fleece, floor tiles, rooftop tiles, protection, and arranging
pieces and besides that, vitrified slag, being naturally adequate as a recyclable result, is one
of the more positive qualities of plasma arc gasification process for the administration of
MSW contrasted with others. Another affirmative way of the gasification process is that
advancements in the outline of the reactor/chamber have enhanced tremendously and
diminished the requirement for pretreatment/preprocessing[3].

xxiv
CnHm+ nH2O ↔ nCO + (n+ 1/2m) H2; -205kj/mol (exothermic) 3.1

C + 2H2 ↔ CH4; +172kj/mol (endothermic) 3.2

C + H2O ↔ CO + H2; +131kj/mol (endothermic) 3.3

C + O2 → CO2; -393kj/mol (exothermic) 3.4

C + CO2 ↔ 2CO; -74kj/mol (exothermic) 3.5

CO + H2O ↔ CO2 + H2; -41kj/mol (exothermic) 3.6

3.1.1.3 An example of pyrolysis which can be implemented in Bangladesh:

Alter NRG(Westinghouse)Plasma Corporation:

The accompanying matter talks about the foundation of Alter NRG and the diverse phases
of their task of plasma gasification and determination rule of the reactor.

3.1.1.3.1 Background:
Westinghouse Plasma Corporation's plasma innovation was created over a period more
prior to 20 years and investing more than hundred million dollars in Westinghouse research
and development financing. In 80’s decade, Westinghouse and the Electric Power Research
Institute built up a reactor utilizing plasma for recovering divided pieces of metal.
Moreover, Westinghouse expanded the plasma vault innovation for the treatment of unsafe
–solid wastes including sullied landfill objects, PCB-defiled electrical equipment,
transformers and capacitors and steel industries’ till late 1990.

A progression of tests was executed at the WPC Plasma Center in Madison utilizing an
assortment of sustain materials and at different dampness substance.

xxv
WPC and Hitachi Metals have joined endeavors finished in the exhibition to the Japanese
government that the Yoshii WtE institute was equipped for utilizing plasma vitality to
dependably and financially gasify remains for vitality generation. In September 2000, The
Westinghouse Plasma Gasifier was conceived right after when the Japanese Waste
Research Foundation granted a procedure confirmation of the innovation.

Full scale offices in Mihama-Mikata and Utashinai Japan were connected to the lessons
learned at Yoshii, which both started business task in 2002 and 2003 and keep working till
now. In 2007 Westinghouse Plasma Corporation was procured by Alter NRG. Different
undertakings were embraced by the organization to manage waste administration which
was at first illustrated, enhanced and in the end popularized in various parts over the world.
That office treats unsafe wastes from less than 50 distinct enterprises.

Today air Products obtained a plasma gasification reactor from Westinghouse for Air
Products' thousand tons for every day plant to be worked in England [34]. The
accompanying figure 3.3 denotes the business history of this Plasma Corp Technology.

As indicated by them the plasma gasification process notwithstanding power can likewise
create ethanol, gas, diesel fuel and is the best option accessible to fight shy of landfilling.
These provide many crucial features that include:

 Governments are embracing this plasma arrangement because of energy

independence.
 Exclusive IP, specialized mechanism and dynamic licenses around the world.
 Pilot tests are performed over a hundred times on various feedstocks at their reality
class plasma core with a normal of 48 tons for every limit.
 Scale-30 to 1000TPD for every gasifier [22].

xxvi
They have designed quite a few product lines of models depending upon demand and
supports distinct market verticals described in the figure 2

Figure 1: Gasifier reactor models[12]

Point to be noted:
 Ground level to syngas exit flange. Ductwork height excluded as it is project
specific.
 MSW calorific value (C.V) range -14 MJ/kg (4000-6000 Btu/lb) HHV basis.
 Hazardous waste (C.V) range -14.0-23.3 MJ/kg (6000-10,000 Btu/lb) HHV basis
Point to be noted:

Point to be noted:

The real results from a WPC gasification space will rely upon the amount of particular
feedstock being utilized and the real design of the plant. Gasifiers can be introduced in
parallel to make a plant with the ability to suit any requirements. The above Table 3.5
records the amount of syngas, gross and net power age from various models.

xxvii
3.1.1.3.2 Mechanism:
Inside the gasification chamber the unchanged plasma burn comprises of chilled water run
through a pair of copper tubes. The working gas is infused through the little spaces between
the terminals. Pressurized air through the electric bend will change over the air stream into
a plasma crest which will be known as ionized gas with a temperature around 5800 ℃.
These lights are utilized to make massive heat inside the gasifier. These lights help
temperatures as well as they give critical capacities in devastating dangerous waste and
vitrification of WtE slag.

Figure 2: WPC plasma torch[13]

WPC has built up a gasifier based on plasma where the plasma planes are situated at the
base of the gasifier. Six plasma lights at their peak are utilized at the base to give adequate
warmth to the gasification to occur. A streamlined chart demonstrating the internals of a
plasma burn is being appeared in figure 3 that is stated above. Inside the dome a bed coke
is made utilizing metallurgical coke (met coke) to assimilate and hold the warmth vitality
from the plasma burns and give a "structure" that backings the MSW bolster as it slides
through the gasification reactor and is changed over to gas and fluid slag, this activity is
like the marvels happening in an impact heater. The met coke is sustained at the same time

xxviii
as the MSW and is vital for the activity of the gasifier. The real speed of the plasma fly
leaving the lights is about Match2, so we better put restriction towards the gas speed and
permits appropriation of warmth equally. A decent basic trustworthiness has been earned
by the met coke and can bolster the heaviness of the waste on its own. This procedure can
deal with any dampness content in the MSW since it fades away alongside the syngas. The
waste coming in ought to be around 10” in terms of dimension.WPCaccommodates the
gasification island, which incorporates the gasifier and the plasma burn framework and the
rest units are accessible independently. The procedure is totally controlled by the observing
of the temperature of the gases that come out eventually. The last ought to be between
982⁰C to 1093⁰C, keeping in mind the end goal to keep the tar arrangement and that little
particles blend into those gases. Consequently, the keys for the procedure control are the
plasma lights. Pretty much warmth will be included through them depending whether we
need to turn up or down the syngas temperature.

As the blend of waste and met coke is going down through the gasifier, the waste will
begin gasifying while the met coke will stay strong. The bed coke will gradually gasify yet
will stay at the base. The bed waste will lie over it. The main materials that will get away
from the bed coke are the slag and liquefied metals. They will be recovered toward the end.
Metals are isolated from the slag through an extremely rapid method. After the procedure is
unfaltering, lights are running consistently, and the power supply can be adjusted. Each
power burn is alimented independent. Subsequently one light can be closed down and
adjusted without the need to close down the entire procedure.

As it is conceivable to entirely evacuated one of the Plasma burn while the framework is
running, a few valves are particularly outlined with the goal that within vessel gases don't
escape while this procedure. The gasifier is working at marginally negative strain to stay
away from vaporous holes. The accompanying figure 3 gives a delineation of the diverse
phases of working temperatures inside a gasifier chamber.

xxix
The vessel into which the plasma burn is embedded is really the exclusive plan of WPC
appeared in figure 5, and it is the component permitting the great activity of the gasifier.
Some air needs to circumvent the plasma burn since it is vital that the plasma stream does
not touch the dividers, else they would liquefy [22].

Figure 3: Internal structure and operating temperatures inside a gasifier[3]

Figure 4: Input & output of a typical gasifier[11]

xxx
Within the vessel is walled with recalcitrant which is a rigid material and can give some
sort of insulation at the base. The width and stature are figured relying upon the residency
time, the stream rates, satisfactory temperature, and warmth misfortunes[11].

The syngas will have, best case scenario 33% of the power substance of gas. Consequently,
the turbine utilized must be perfect with a lower power gas or gaseous petrol must be added
to influence it to work suitably. WPC right now has an organization with Solar Turbines to
examine the utilization of their turbine that is good with the low vitality substance of the
WPC syngas means can a shot at 100% syngas can be taken conveniently and the main
reason for existing is to pitch to customers both the gasifier and the turbine of sun powered
turbine at the same time.

Nonetheless, if the customer rather includes petroleum gas, WPC will work with them to
pick another mechanism. In this survey, an approach can be taken on the Integrated Plasma
Gasification Combined Cycle, shortly known as IPGCC, where MSW is gasified with
expanding metallurgical coke which needs to be 4% w/w to create syngas.

Followed by power production by means of a gas turbine. Met coke is added to the
heterogeneous stream keeping in mind the end goal to raise the calorific estimation of the
sustainability. This IPGCC configuration is a definitive objective of Alter NRG, alongside
an entire sustain of MSW. The fundamental distinction between the traditional steam cycle
and the consolidated cycle is the nearness of turbines that pack the syngas as opposed to
combusting everything in a steam heater and in the end and combustion is undeniably
worthier than the other process to recover more power.

The Air Product Tees Valley Renewable Energy Facility is a venture arranged as an
IPGCC. Plasma gasification can be utilized to create syngas which can be molded and
afterward changed over to a particular type of gasoline or energy through innovation stages

xxxi
like energy units and moreover, for those practical implementations, most of the plant, the
segment which is devoted to preparing waste and making clean syngas, will be relatively
comparative [22].

3.1.1 Anaerobic Digestion:

Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a biological process of the break-down of organic matter by
naturally occurring bacteria in the absence of air, and this produces biogas and a solid
digestate. Biogas comprises of mostly methane and carbon dioxide with a small amount of
hydrogen supplied and hydrogen. Depending on the type of input material, the residual
solid matter or dig estate can be a nutrient-rich bio-fertilizer[14]. According to a report by
the Bangladesh Centre for Advance Studies[14]. The 8.44 million households of
Bangladesh have 22.29 million cattle and buffalo, and there are 116,000 poultry farms
which produce 22,139 t of litter per day. Traditional use of dung and litter has a big impact
on the environment and cultivable land in Bangladesh because when it is dumped on low
ground adjoining dwelling areas it causes them to be affected by smell, dust and surface
water pollution[15]. Bangladesh already has nearly 40,000 domestic biogas plants using
cow dung or poultry litter, but the full potential has been estimated at 3 million plants [16].
The traditional use of biomass for cooking or the burning of renewably harvested fuel
wood has often been assumed to be greenhouse gas neutral as eventually all the CO 2 will
be recycled and taken up by vegetation in the next growing season.

Bangladesh has a suitable climate for biogas production. The ideal temperature for biogas
is around 35°C. The temperature in Bangladesh usually varies from 6°C to 40°C, but the
internal temperature of a biogas digester in Bangladesh usually remains at 22°C to 30°C,
which is very near to the optimum requirement[17]. Suitable raw feed stocks for biogas
such as cow dung and poultry litter are easily and cheaply available throughout the country.

The potential for mass deployment of domestic AD plants is very promising. Government
and micro-finance companies already support such schemes[2]. The use of AD could

xxxii
supply a much-needed energy resource for domestic consumption for cooking, as well as
bio fertilizer to enrich the farm land [4, 5, 9]. It would also reduce deforestation by
displacing wood fuel, and improve air quality in rural homes by avoiding contributions
caused by incomplete combustion of solid fuels. These AD plants would be situated in
rural farm areas where there is no realistic option for extending natural gas supply, on
smallholdings where the energy would be directly used.

The common use of AD biogas in Bangladesh would also make a significant contribution
to the reduction of greenhouse gases, which could provide some income via the Clean
Development Mechanism (CDM). However, this approach would require appropriate
calculation of baseline carbon emissions. The focus of this study is the determination of the
potential energy contribution and energy patterns of small and medium AD systems in
Bangladesh from common feed stocks and common scenarios[2-5, 9]

Figure 5: Anaerobic Digestion Method

3.1.2 Incineration method to produce energy:

Incineration is an alternate method of landfilling of the waste. From incineration technique
the combustion technique came in to produce energy. Such WtE plant burns the waste in
control condition to generate steam that is used to run the turbine and generate electricity.

xxxiii
Around 500MWh to 700MWh energy is generated by per ton of waste by MSW combusted
[23].

The method is simple but the complication occurs while maintain and controlling the
harmful materials, compounds produced. The below diagram is an example of a WtE mass
burner.

Figure 6: Waste to Energy Plant Diagram

It works by burning waste that cannot be recycled. In the above figure it is shown that the
trash is stored in a bunker and later it is burned and the steam is used to generate electricity
and this electricity can be fed into the national grid or supplied to the local community and
the flue gases are sent for treatment. And the ash produced from the burning of the waste is
collected. The ashes can be used to for constructions. The plants can also produce high-
pressure hot water or steam that can be used by industry or domestic heating. These plants
are highly efficient and are encouraged by United Kingdom Government policy [24].

xxxiv
The electricity produced by the mass burner can be used for the plan itself. More advanced
technologies are being implemented to control the flue gases. In United Kingdom,
Germany strict rules and regulations are followed and maintained for the combustion
method. Not just that the combustion system provides heat service in many countries. 30%
of Denmark’s district heating comes from the WtE facilities [23]. The below image shows
average emission of ten WtE facilities, it is said that WtE has lower carbon emission
equivalent to landfilling and coal burning.

Figure 7: Direct combustion Plant

xxxv
 CHAPTER 4
Environment Impacts

4.1 Overview of Power generation and impact on the environment in

Bangladesh.
Bangladesh is a developing country; the power demand is rising day by day. The
government is facing huge challenge to meet the demand of the power. Average daily
demand is around 12MW and the power board is able to produce around 8MW in 2017.
Where as in 2009 only around 4MW was produced [26]. In this figure 1 it shows the
composition of installed generation capacity by fuel type as on June 30, 2016. [Source
System Planning, BPBD]

Total Installed Capacity: 12365MW

5th Qtr
6% Sales 6th Qtr
2%
4th Qtr
2%
3rd Qtr
8%

2nd Qtr
21% 1st Qtr
61%

Figure 8: Total Installed Capacity of Bangladesh

xxxvi
Natural Gas: 61%

Furnace oil: 21%

Diesel: 8%

Coal: 2%

Power import: 6%

Hydro: 2%

As said, the demand is on the rise i.e. 7% per approximately per year and the government
have taken many plans to meet the demand. Government previously used Quick Rental
method to meet the demand later the quick rental methods were reduced but government is
again planning for quick rental along with other major plans. Nuclear power plant is one of
those major plans by government. The first phase of the plant is supposed to start the
generation on 2023/2024 which will have a gross of 1200MWe and the second phase on
2024/2025 and have same gross 1200MWe [27].

The problem arises when the plan of establishing 23 coal power plant to generate 20MW of
electricity through the coal power plants by 2030. Coal based power plants produce around
41% of the electricity of the World. This is because Coal based power plants are one of the
cheapest ways to produce electricity. Moreover, coal-based power plants are one of the
main reasons for greenhouse gases and global warming. According to a report in 2011
coal-based power plants in USA emitted a total of 1.7 billion of CO₂. A typical coal power
plant generates around 3.5million of CO₂ per year. According to reports BNCS on June
2016 Bangladesh generated a total power of around 12,365MW. And of that 2.02% came
from Coal Based Power Plants. Coal based power plants are managed by private
organizations and both by governmental organizations. Bangladesh plans to build few
numbers of coal power plants and one of them in Sundarbans named RampalPowerplant.
There are many controversies regarding it on how it can harm the largest mangrove forest

xxxvii
and the environment. Coal based power plants are lower in costs but the opportunity cost is
higher that is the environment. The first thing needed to run a Coal based power plant is
coal. For that coal needs to be extracted from the surface or needs to be imported from
other countries. Coal mining causes hefty amount of damages to the environment. When
coal mines move in, whole communities are forced off their land by expanding mines, coal
fires, subsidence, and overused and contaminated water supplies. Mines are quick to dig up
and destroy forests and soils. But once the coal is gone, the problems they leave behind,
like acid mine drainage, can persist for decades. Around the world, Greenpeace campaigns
to help communities stop coal mines, and speed up the shift to 100 percent clean, safe
renewable energy. Underground mines, which provide the majority of the world’s coal,
allow coal companies to extract deep coal deposits. About 40 percent of the world’s coal
mines are the more damaging strip mines (also called open cast, open pit, mountaintop or
surface mining). After coal is found from mining it is then burned in the coal basedpower
plant to generate electricity through the mechanism. Burning coal results into producing
various harmful gas which is the leading cause of smog, acid rain, toxic air pollution and
climate change. Some emissions can be significantly reduced with readily available
pollution controls. The list of gases, materials produced and how it harms the environment.

Carbon dioxide (CO2):

carbon dioxide emission from power plants contributes to the global warming and climate
change.
Sulfur dioxide (SO2): Coal plants leading source of SO2 pollution, which takes a major toll
on public health, including by contributing to the formation of small acidic particulates that
can penetrate into human lungs and be absorbed by the bloodstream. SO 2 also causes acid
rain, which damages crops, forests, and soils, and acidifies lakes and streams. A typical
uncontrolled coal plant emits 14,100 tons of SO2 per year. A typical coal plant with
emissions controls, including flue gas desulfurization (smokestack scrubbers), emits 7,000
tons of SO₂ per year. This is still harmful for the environment.

xxxviii
Nitrogen oxides (NO2):

NO2 pollution causes ground level ozone, or smog, which can burn lung tissue, exacerbate
asthma, and make people more susceptible to chronic respiratory diseases. A typical
uncontrolled coal plant emits 10,300 tons of NOx per year. A typical coal plant with
emissions controls, including selective catalytic reduction technology, emits 3,300 tons of
NOx per year. In order to reduce NOx, emission, low NOx burner firing system should be
installed in all power plants.

Particulate matter: Particulate matter (also referred to as soot or fly ash) can cause
chronic bronchitis, aggravated asthma, and premature death, as well as haze obstructing
visibility. A typical uncontrolled plan emits 500 tons of small airborne particles each year.
Baghouses installed inside coal plant smokestacks can capture as much as 99 percent of the
particulates. To control flue gas dust from coal power plants, electrostatic precipitator
(ESP) will help to reduce dust emission to a desired level.

Mercury: Coal plants are responsible for emissions of mercury, a toxic heavy metal that
causes brain damage and heart problems. A typical uncontrolled coal plants emits
approximately 170 pounds of mercury each year. Activated carbon injection technology
can reduce mercury emissions by up to 90 percent when combined with bughouses.

Some few more harmful pollutants are emitted from the coal-based power plants like lead,
cadmium, uranium, carbon monoxide and etc. [49, 52-54]

It is said that the emission of CO2 emission will be tripled by the year 2030 due to the coal
power plants and other fossil fuel plants. Chittagong is already the most polluted city in the
world. This increase in CO2 emission will not just impact Chittagong and Bangladesh
rather the world.

xxxix
4.2 Comparison between fossil fuel plants and WtE plants

4.2.1 In terms of biogas (an anaerobic digestion) plant:

A biogas plant’s design mechanism can be defined by its attributes of raw materials. These
raw materials can be of two kinds, one type of materials comes straight out of farms and
the materials include manure, sludge and grass. Another type of materials is labeled as
external raw materials that may cost some money in order to get due to the solid
configuration. In every process some toxic materials that are pretty much harmful for the
environment hence in terms of plants that deal with biogas, the materials are highly
dependent on the equipment of treatment and feedstock. Biogas is nothing but the mixture
of the gases like carbon-dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) so it needs to be kept in mind
that methane is a highly flammable gas as it is proven to be explosive while getting in
touch with spark, oxy-acetylene flame (C2H2 at 3200 0C) or while reacting with oxygen
(O2) hence safety measures need to be taken to keep the environment as well as the
individuals safe. In terms of anaerobic digestion, it may create products along with biogas
that are heavily metallic. Biogas combustion can produce gases like nitrogen oxides
(NxOy) that are proven inconvenient to lung and can cause serious allergy. Besides that,
both methane and carbon dioxide are the parts of biogas which are also known as
greenhouse gases that help to increase the overall temperature of our planet and hence
responsible for the icebergs of both north and south poles being melted down. Moreover,
anaerobic digestion plants tend to produce water which is not good for the soil because of
the level of nitrites dissolved in that and last but not the least, plants like these cause other
environmental problems like odor and pollutants as huge amount of methane being burnt
for the sake of power generation.

4.2.2 In terms of plasma arc gasification:

There is a difference between traditional waste to energy conversion technique and plasma
arc gasification in terms of the timing of syngas cleaning. In plasma arc gasification
process syngas is cleaned before the combustion as it saves money and it makes the process
more efficient. During power generation process, oxides of nitrogen gas will also be
produced. Elements like furans and dioxins keep coming back while getting back to the

xl
normal state even if they are alleviated by dint of plasma treatment as well as high heat and
in this case, drastic cooing process may help a lot to get rid of those elements. After done
with the cleaning process water will come out of the syngas and chlorine will be in that
water in a very mild quantity.

4.2.3 In terms of incineration method for combustion:

Incineration method is an old technique to burn wastes but with the technologies available.
Through incineration we are able to produce energy just like the same mechanism of coal
but with more control and less harm to the environment. The incineration method produces
two type of ashes bottom ashes and fly ashes. Bottom ashes comes from the furnace and fly
ashes from the stacks of hazardous components. Bottom ashes are around 10% and only
few percent of fly ashes [27]. But there are technologies to render the hot flue gases and
safe and harmless release to the environment.

UK follows a strict monitoring of the emission of the plants. European Waste Incineration
Directive objective is to minimize the impact from emissions on the environment and
human lives. It is said that the Dutch cities which have WtE power plant has cleaner
emissions than the people who breathe air at ground level [29].

xli
4.3 CO2 Emission for grid power Generation:
CO2 emission from power plants causes global warming and climate change. The following
table shows the current and future trend of CO2 emission in Bangladesh.

Name 2015(Actual) 2021 2030

Net Electricity 45836 99838 190752
Generation (GWh)
Fossil Fuel based 41890 77925 133145
Electricity Generation
(Gwh)
CO2 Emission 24.85 42.4 79.2
(Million ton)
Emission Factor 0.54 0.43 0.42
(Grid)(t/MWh)
Per Capita CO2 0.16 0.24 0.40
Emission (Ton/annum)
Table 6: CO2 Emission present and future condition

Source: Derived from BPDB energy and financial modelling data and PSMP

This much emission will create an imbalance in the environment the technology to mitigate
CO2 is highly expensive so the coal and fossil power plant seems to be an unhealthy
concept for Bangladesh.

The average coal-fired power station will annually emit over 100 times more Sulphur
dioxide and nitrogen oxides compared to a typical EfW facility. The air quality for people
living and working around a site will not suffer as a result of an EfW plant [30]. So, opting
out of coal power plant and shifting to WtE power plant is a necessity.

xlii
 CHAPTER 5
Electronic Waste
5.1 Definition of E-waste:
Used electronic households like laptops/desktops, phone sets/cell phones, fridge, television,
video camera, copy machines which have been sold or about to get sold or discarded by the
owners are normally known as E-wastes or Electronic wastes and goods like these are
either can be functional or partially functional or on the verge of the life cycle or non-
functional fall into such category. Based on their conditions they can be refurbished,
reused, regarded and recycled as well.

To be more specific, according to Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment directive, e-

waste’s can be classified as[3].Entertainment electronics like LCDs, TVs, CD players etc.

 E-tools like electric lawnmowers and drilling machines.

 Communication appliances of the office like printers, phones, computers.
 Both small and large appliances like ovens, fridges, toasters etc.
 Surveillance equipment.
 Medical instruments.
 Sports equipment like training machines.
 Lighting materials like fluorescent lights and so on.

5.2 Mass and findings of the appliances related to E-waste:

E-waste’s hotspot or concentration of highest disposal of e-waste in Chittagong are
Mahesh, and Chaktai Khal, Boalkhali and Salimpur. It was a matter of regret that the
people who were in charge of the official details of the weight and findings of the
components related to e-waste could not be interviewed they were quite busy with the tasks
they were appointed to hence the only way of getting enlightened was interviewing the
random workers named Monir and Asad who work at Mahesh Khal as well as Shopon and

xliii
Habib who work somewhere near the Elephant road and after talking to them for quite a
while it had been unofficially confirmed that around 0.27 million metric tons of e-wastes
were being collected on a daily basis and 0.83 million metric tons of e-wastes were being
collected on a monthly basis. Around 90% of the e-wastes were being processed and then
being sent to Chittagong shipyard and nearly 5% to 3% go through recycling and regarding
process and 5% and 7% fail to serve any purpose hence those components end up in the
landfills unfortunately.

Name of bases Amount of E-waste (in million metric tons)

On daily basis 0.27
On monthly basis 0.833
On yearly basis 7.91
Table 7: Amount of E-waste in a year

Treatment Mass of E-waste (%)

Processing 90
Recycling 5-3
Unusable 5-7
Table 8: Disposal of E-waste

According to the workers who had been interviewed, processed and recycled e-wastes
include:

 Television
 Computer
 Cell phones
 CFL bulbs
 Medical wastes
 Junkyard of the ships, normally known as ship breaking yard
 Mercury bulbs

xliv
It had been also confirmed by the workers that the highest amount of waste came from ship
breaking yard which was around 0.192 million metric tons per month and the least amount
of waste came from medicals allover Bangladesh [28]

5.3 Recycling and reusing e-wastes:

It is told to us that the discarded computers are often recycled at recycling stores or those
devices are given to local schools or many non-profit Christian missionary organizations
for a negligible amount of money. It is difficult to distinguish the mottos behind recycling
e-wastes in the developing countries due to estimated gross and domestic recycling as both
types of recycling are proven to be indistinguishable due to the betterment of the
environment. Moreover, recycling is way better than landfilling. It is a matter of regret that
here in South Asian countries especially, workers are often exposed to toxic atmosphere
while dismantling and restoring multiple elements from a device that has gone through and
entire lifecycle. Situations like dumping and burning of toxic materials have been
witnessed near Chaktai Khal as the workers and even the concerned authorities are getting
frustrated about how to recycle the important parts of a device without doing so.

Based on how the electronic materials are being reused, the entire process can be summed
up in the way exhibited below:

Domestic/ Collected by Isolated by Functional

office scrap dealers many items being
appliance purchasing sold again
s
collection
Mixed with other filths Isolation via Isolation via
recycling in recycling
small groups Mixed with

Functional items being sold Functional items

again being sold again

Fig 9: How E-wastes get recycled around Chittagong

xlv
5.4 Chemical compositions of the E-wastes:
Chemicals found in e-wastes can be categorized based on their quantity overall and the
category is stated below[3]. Things that can be found in quite a negligible amount, things
like Barium(56Ba), Nickel(28Ni), Gallium (31Ga), Indium (49In), Cobalt (27Co),
Germanium (32Ge), Gold (79Au), Antimony (51Sb), Bismuth (83Bi), Ruthenium (44Ru),
Platinum (78Pt) and so on.

 Things that are in mild amount are Zinc (30Zn), Cadmium (48Cd), Mercury (80Hg)
etc.
 Elements that are found in a plenty of amount are Tin (50Sn), Lead(82Pb),
Carbon(6C), Copper (29Cu), Silicon (14Si), Aluminum(13Al) and last but not the
least which is Iron (26Fe).

5.5 Processing of E-waste and its environmental impact:

The wastes like metal boards, plastics and power supplies are normally taken and being
dismantled or shredded via manual labor and the repairable components like Bipolar
Junction Transistors, Metal-Oxide Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors, capacitors and
many other materials are being used to make a totally usable “Frankenstein”-is product and
then sold to the end users and the process brings the investors as well as the brokers a huge
amount of fortune at a feasible cost. It is told to us that apart from Bangladesh many
developing countries and countries like China deal with throwaways in a feasible but
harmful way which has undoubtedly a bad impact on the workers involved with the
electronic waste shredding, sorting and sampling jobs. Workers in those places are mainly
ordered to filter the metals via burning the circuit boards and melt the plastic parts hence
during the process different types of neurotoxins are being released which put a negative
impact on the longevity of the people around that place.

xlvi
5.6 Electronic waste to conversion via Microbial Fuel cells

5.6.1 Principle of MFC and It’s working:

In the recent day’s studies and speculations about MFC are getting mainstream as the
process is capable enough to produce significant amount of energy. Basically, metabolic
operation performed by the bacteria is the formula that is at the core of microbial fuel cells’
mechanism. This not a single unit rather its components include electrodes, proton
exchange membrane, anode and cathode chambers. A conductor with a particular amount
of impedance completes the circuit as a whole and proton exchange membrane, known as
PEM is also there to distinguish cathode chamber from anode chamber[3]. Bacteria like
pseudomonas produce both H+ and e- and hence the chemical energy is converted to
electrical energy and microbes store the energy. During the reaction e- flows from anode to
cathode through the wire that completes the circuit. Via PEM H+ ions flow, reach the
cathode chamber and in the end creates H2O. The reaction looks like:

4H++2O2+4e- => 2H2O

Bacteria that cannot transfer e- are called redox mediators[3]. Bacteria grow in anode and
release

in cathodes, as written in Logan5[18].

5.6.2 Dimension analysis of the components of the MFCs:

MFCs have been improved in terms of efficiency and performance over time but based on
the cost of making one is the challenge to be taken care of quite seriously. Based on the
materials that complete an electrode resistance of it varies. More resistance means less
power and electrodes purely made of 78Pt can be too expensive. So, considering overall
reasonable cost and optimum efficiency carbon cloth could be used. Single chamber MFC
would be the type for the experiment which would be 4x10-2 m lengthwise and 3x10-2 in
terms of diameter[3]. Hence the area-volume ratio would be-

xlvii
 (3/100)2
𝜋 4
𝑥= (3/100)2
=25m2/m3
×4/100
4

(3/100)2 2 (3/100)2 4
Where, A= 𝜋 m and V = × m3
4 4 100

= 77x10-5 and = 9x10-6

Now, A/V = 85.55

In this case if .02kgm-2 Pt is present in the 25m2/m3 carbon cathode[3]. According to the
scrappers of Chaktai Khal, sixty mechanical hard drives come to their junkyard on a
monthly basis and each of the drives carry around 1-5 hard disk drive platters. So, let’s say
each mechanical drive carry 3 platters on average. It has been confirmed that each
platter3.5 inches in terms of diameter and has 30nm of Co-Cr-Pt alloy and the amount of Pt
is 40%50% which ultimately results in 2.2x10-6 kg of platinum [31]. Hence, we get total
3.96x102 mg of platinum for total 60 mechanical hard drives carrying 3 platters each.

Moreover, we would require Polycarbonate sheet, hollow rod and the dimensions of those
materials would be .229m3, .381m3 respectively.

5.6.3 Quantity of the cells used, overall cost (estimated) and final result analysis:
Using unitary method, it has been found that if 0.02 kgm-2 Pt is present in the 25m2/m3
carbon cathode then 3.96x102 mgcm-2 will cover 4950m2/m3 carbon cathode.

Hence the total number of cells would be= 4950/25= =198 cells

Finally, the power density of these 198 cells would be 9108 Wm-3

Considering the quantity, materials and manual labor required the cost would result in BDT
16,029.48 where Over 90% of the cost is involved with the platinum extraction and around
5% of the cost is all about the carbon clothes due to the manner of their physical form.

xlviii
5.6.4 Comparison of the power densities between lithium-ion batteries and MFCs
backed up by a month of E-waste:
In this analysis the power density of the cells has been roughly estimated and now if its
power density can be put against the best of the best in the market, which is the lithium
cobalt oxide (LiCoO₂) many interesting things will appear that have never been talked
about before.

Lithium ion batteries, known as Li-on batteries are the best option technology can offer
today. By considering their specific power density, which can go from 250Wkg-1 to
340Wkg1[32]. and hence the sweet spot can be considered 295Wkg -1, which can be
translated into 5.83x106 Wm-3 and undoubtedly massive compared to the power density
obtained using 198 MFCs, which is almost 640 times of what we have gotten for MFCs. In
this case it seems like MFCs are not the things to be talked about but there is still chance
for this technology as more power density only denotes that the battery would be able to
store the energy quickly compared to MFCs but that does not mean that li-on battery is also
able to hold the energy for a significant amount of time and this problem has been observed
in many cases and it makes the li-on batteries quite unstable and unreliable sometimes. In
terms of storing energy, energy density is the term to look forward to as the more energy
density of a battery or cell denotes that the battery or cell is more capable of keeping the
energy within itself. So clearly it can be said that a battery with high amount of power
density does not necessarily have high amount of energy density and in other words it can
also be said that the battery with low power density does not necessarily have low energy
density, so the hope is still there and in order to find the energy density of MFCs more and
more researches and experiments need to be done.

Name MFC Li-On(LiCoO₂)

Specific Power 0.46086 295
Density(Wkg-1)
Power density(Wm-3) 9108 5.83x106
Energy density(Jm-3) ---------------- 471.5
Table 9: Comparison Between MFC and Li-On (LiCO2) batter

xlix
 CHAPTER 6
Conclusion:
Before talking about waste to energy conversion, the theme of waste to energy better be
kept in mind as it will create the opportunity of improving the idea of waste to energy
conversion which will be used for the betterment of the community right after. Managing
wastes put a significant impact on the environment, usable lands as well as our health so it
is a must to observe waste management as frequently as possible. There has been a crying
need for the sanitary landfills in Bangladesh despite the boost in technological as well as
economical fields for many years. Developing countries tend to dispose solid wastes in
outside dumping fields and such fields need to handle gas present in the landfill hence
environment pollution occurs with respect to the greenhouse gases which has been formed.
It is estimated that the quantity of waste that will be produced will

increase by 2 times on a yearly basis. Chittagong, the capital of Bangladesh alone produces
around seven kilo tons of solid waste, 4 kilo tons of construction and demolition waste on a
daily basis. Such wastes need to be processed via taking to the dumping fields in this case
both of the city corporations of Chittagong have acquired many ways to improve the
situation of waste management for the betterment of the mass as the managed wastes will
be used to generate power later on.

Despite people who are concerned about waste to energy conversion and views plasma arc
gasification as one of the traditional combustion processes, plasma arc gasification has the
potential to convert the increasing quantity of waste into some serious quantity of energy
that can help us to deal with our power outage problem and alleviation of unwanted waste
as well. Burning fuel is not a healthy as well as beneficial way to ensure high temperature
and pressure unlike plasma arc gasification. Utilizing a controlled air and creating a
moderately minimum quantity of gas accelerates the gas cleaning mechanism. Besides,
controlling the measure of heat contribution can tweak the structure of syngas and H-CO
ratio according to the operator’s convenience. The process has been well received by many

l
countries because of the viability but it is a matter of regret that the process is not
economically beneficial due to the immense variation of the expense of post-waste
management program, which is known as the treatment. In any case, unmistakably the
reuse of vitrified slag and vitality generation from syngas will enhance the business
practicality of this procedure, and there have been proceeded with progresses towards
facilitate advancement.

Speaking of waste to energy generation, thermal plasma gasification can be proven

superior to landfilling in a technological manner as it is undoubtedly way better
considering energy production and as this process requires short area of land, less amount
of greenhouse gases can emit. So, there are possibilities for this process, just a bit more
commercialization and investment of the enthusiasts are necessary.

li
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