Valorization of food waste into hydrogen energy through supercritical water gasification: Generation potential and techno-econo-environmental feasibility assessment

Food waste (FW) is a significant portion of the solid waste produced by cities, and it has become a global problem due to the poor management of food distribution and consumption. The improper disposal of FW in landfills precipitates pervasive global environmental predicamentsHowever, effective management strategies have the potential to convert this large amount of garbage into a very effective renewable energy source, particularly through the generation of environmentally friendly hydrogen. This study examines the capacity for energy generation and the practicality of hydrogen production in Bangladesh using supercritical water gasification technology. The findings indicate that approximately 489 MW of electricity can be extracted from approximately 23 million tons (Mt) of FW in 2023, with a projected escalation to around 2042 MW by 2042, coinciding with an anticipated surge in FW generation to approximately 110 Mt. Moreover, the study delves into the economic feasibility of these gasification endeavors, employing diverse metrics encompassing total life cycle cost, net present value, investment payback duration, levelized cost of energy, and internal rate of return. Technoeconomic analyses divulge an investment with a net present value of 11,669.4 M$M$, an 11-year payback period, and an internal rate of return of 14 %. In addition, the research assesses the technological, economic, and environmental viability inherent in the establishment of gasification-based electricity-generating facilities in Bangladesh's preeminent eight cities by 2023. This examination postulates that a transition from coal-based power plants to those powered by food waste would precipitate an annual reduction of 3.59 Mt in carbon dioxide emissions.