Environmental and Economic Dimensions Summary, Essay Example

Results

The sustainability assessment results indicated that incineration and anaerobic respiration are the least and most sustainable options, respectively. The options relate to electricity waste generation. Pyrolysis and gasification sustainability exists between the two, i.e., incineration and anaerobic respiration. In comparing pyrolysis and gasification sustainability, the former was found to be more sustainable than the latter.

Environmental and Economic Dimensions

In the sustainability assessment, the results of anaerobic digestion (AD) exceeded pyrolysis in terms of the environmental dimension. The results from the environmental dimension are because AD plants are not land-intensive and have relatively lower emissions. Incineration was the least environmentally friendly technology then gasification. AD exceeded other technologies in the economic dimension because of its low operational costs and low capital. Besides, gas engines in AD is an efficient way of generating electricity than turbines.

Social Dimension and Sensitivity Analysis

In terms of the social sustainability dimension, AD technology was the most sustainable choice. AD was 49 percent more sustainable in the sustainability assessment than incineration due to social indicators such as public health risk and heatwave generation. After AD, the sustainability option was pyrolysis because it is characterized by minimal disturbance and low displacement rates. Sensitivity analysis illustrates the relationship between the outcomes and input variables of a system. Even though gas turbines are less efficient than gas engines, if the gas engine replaces gas turbines in the AD technology, the result will remain constant because of the analysis.

Discussion

The major challenges associated with the assessment’s sustainability dimensions are; the facilities’ vulnerability, lower heating value, and the capital costs for developing the facility. From a financial and technical perspective, pyrolysis and gasification are regarded as the most feasible incineration options. Besides, gasification and pyrolysis are environment-friendly relative to incineration technology. The two options face a limitation of economic viability. Gasification and pyrolysis’ by-products, such as coke and gas, are acceptable if they have a high market value. AD technology represented the most sustainable option in the sustainability assessment in terms of environmental factors and waste composition. In terms of economic factors, gasification is widely recognized over incineration because it can be utilized for power generation and energy storage. In terms of environmental factors, AD was more suitable than incineration and other technologies. Incineration results in high pollution compared to other options such as AD and pyrolysis. In the social dimension, incineration was more land-intensive than other technologies, hence not suitable when the other options are available.