Avaliação técnico-econômica de planta de incineração de resíduos sólidos urbano em países em desenvolvimento - uma simulação aplicada a cidade do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Abstract

Proper treatment and final disposal of municipal solid waste (MSW) still represents a major challenge in many countries, particularly in developing countries. In Europe, the use of energy generated in energy recovery incinerators, or Waste-to-Energy (WtE), has increased in recent years. The objective of this thesis is to propose and apply the simulation of a technical economic feasibility model for an MSW incinerator with energy recovery for the city of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) of 270,000 tons per year. Initially, the bases for the formulation of a model for the feasibility study for the implementation of an incinerator are presented, and then a simulation study is carried out and the results are presented for application in Rio de Janeiro. A financial model with two different scenarios was formulated considering the variation in the bank's interest rate and the level of cost of capital (CAPEX). Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and Return on Investment (ROI) were used as indicators of financial viability. The sensitivity analysis was performed to determine the range in which the electricity price and the tariff per ton (gate fee) affected the financial viability of the model. The thesis presents the results of a study also extensive to the use of MSW incineration with energy recovery in developing countries. Critical factors that hinder the use of this technology have also been identified. Challenges were discussed, such as the lack of regulation and technical standards in Brazil, the proper selection of the business model, the adoption of unsurpassed technology, the importance of characterizing waste in the region, the impact of bank interest rates, minimum revenue economically viable and social aspects. National air pollution control legislation does not meet strict international standards (Europe) and would need to be updated, in addition to other challenges listed and actions addressed to address them in this study. The findings show that economic viability depends on revenues from the sale of electricity and gate fee above the minimum of US $ 0.134 per kWh and US $ 60 per ton, respectively. Lower financing rates would also be necessary than those practiced in the country.