May 3, 2012

The group “Green Energy From Recycled Solid Waste” from University of Texas Panamerican, presented their final report for the Senior Design Project – Spring 2012. The group formed by:

• Cone S. Salinas Treviño
• Lauro Cantu
• Jordan Sanchez
• David Ramirez

Dr. Miguel A. gonzalez was the Technical Advisor; Mr. Hector Ramirez-Garza was their PG Corp Advisor and Dr. Kamal Sarkar was their Faculty Advisor; Mr. Rodolfo R. Sanchez, President and CEO Plasma Gasification Corp.

UTPanamerican Senior Design Project Group

Objective/Abstract

The objective of this project is to investigate, design and validate a system for a plant that converts solid waste into energy in an efficient and cost effective manner for Plasma Gasification Corp(“PGCorp”). A general schematic of the proposed system is presented. The input will come from the solid waste produced in the Rio Grande Valley area, specifically tires and green brush, having reduced contamination to the environment as a collateral effect. The outputs to be sold will be mainly thermal and electric energy, in addition, synthetic fuels production and the sales of the vitrified slag that comes out of the reactor were also explored as options for extra incomes. This project covers from identifying the best sources of waste in the region, along with the best transportation methods to ensure the desirable amount of fuel to the reactor. In addition, to define the optimal way to dispose of the synthetic gas that the reactor produces and to find the best way to sell the inert slag that comes out of the reactor which has a commercial value. The validation of this project was achieved with Arena simulation software. A financial analysis was also made to validate the economic part of the project.