M.S. Thesis: Part I: Analysis of the Economics of Waste-to-Energy Plants in China
Part II: MSW Sorting Models in China and Potential for Improvement
By Ling Qiu
Advisor: Prof. Nickolas J. Themelis
Department of Earth and Environmental Engineering
Fu Foundation School of Engineering & Applied Science
Columbia University
December 2012
Part I: Analysis of the Economics of Waste-to-Energy Plants in China
In the course of this study, there was a critical analysis of past studies by the Earth Engineering Center and the published literature. Also, several operating WTE plants were visited in Shanghai in order to obtain first-hand data on their operation, economics and environmental performance. Design and construction documents of several WTE projects in other Chinese cities were also examined. On the basis of this information, actual local specifications and plant design documents were reviewed to provide capital and operating costs for a hypothetical WTE of 383,000-ton capacity.. A financial analysis was then carried out at different gate fee scenarios, to test the profitability of the model plant. The results showed that a plant of this capacity built in China requires an average capital investment of $74 million, i.e. $193 per ton of annual capacity, and a gate fee of $20 per ton of MSW.
Part II: MSW Soring Models in China and Potential for Improvement
MSW sorting (i.e., separating the garbage into recyclable, compostable, etc.) is the first step of an integrated waste management system because it increases the recovery of materials and energy from the solid waste stream. This part of the study was based on an analysis of the Beijing and Guangzhou models and experience in developed countries on materials recovery from MSW.