Jeong-Soo Yu* and Yasoi Yasuda**

* Doctoral Program in Policy and Planning Sciences, University of Tsukuba
** Institute of Policy and Planning Sciences, University of Tsukuba

+ Correspondence should be addressed to Yasoi Yasuda:
(1-1-1, Tennoudai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8573 Japan)

Abstract

Recently, a fundamental conflict with MSW disposal is common in each municipality. There are two general ways in which to dispose wastes with energy recovery: MSW incineration and an RDF system. The RDF system has been receiving attention as a new system at the moment. This paper is a total evaluation of an RDF system with energy recovery that uses environmental loads and a additional social benefit analysis like energy savings, air pollution reduction and so on. In addition to the RDF system, it is compared with the MSW incineration system. The object of analysis includes a total operating process of systems from MSW transportation to final disposal (landfill) . Main processes include formed RDF manufacturing, incineration, the generation of electricity and the recovery of steam. As a result, the existing RDF system needs partial improvement of the operating process in order to reduce environmental loads. However, it is possible to say that the theme is a low environmental load level per energy production (1kWh) because the system has a high energy recovery efficiency. It is also possible for an economical viewpoint to be added to the above mentioned social benefit items.

Key words: RDF system, energy recovery, environmental load, cost-benefit analysis