Analysis of the Influence of Variation in Medical Waste Heating Value on the Electrical Energy Output of Generator in Medical Waste Cogeneration Incinerator System using Gatecycle Solver

Medical waste incinerator is a technology capable of processing and exterminating hazardous medical waste through combustion at temperatures exceeding 800°C. Medical waste exhibits a range of heating values depending on its material composition. The heating value represents the potential heat energy released when a substance undergoes complete combustion. A cogeneration incinerator is designed to treat medical waste while also harnessing the heat of the flue gas that emanates from the combustion process. The flue gas acts as a hot fluid that transfers its heat, causing the water temperature inside the boiler to increase and transform into high-temperature steam. This steam drives a steam turbine connected to a generator to generate electrical energy. The amount of electrical energy generated is influenced by the steam quality produced through the boiler's water-heating process. This study aims to investigate the influence of variation in the heating value in medical waste on the electrical energy output of the generator in a medical waste cogeneration incinerator system. The range of heating value variations used in the testing varies from 25 MJ/kg to 35 MJ/kg. The variation is tested through thorough simulations using GateCycle software to obtain data on the electrical energy generated. To achieve a maximum electrical energy output of 200 kW, fuel with a total heating value of 32.25 MJ/kg is required. This study is beneficial to be implemented as renewable energy sources based on biomass powerplant systems. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.