Energy Conversion Law of Refuse Gasification/Incineration in Low-Oxygen Plateau Areas-A Case Study of Lhasa, China

Combusting refuse for energy production is promising for their treatment and disposal. However, because of geographical constraints, there has not been a stable model for the energy utilization of refuse in low-oxygen plateau areas. This paper took Lhasa as an example to conduct gasification and incineration experiments on local representative combustible refuse, and relevant energy conversion laws were investigated. Results showed that under gasification and incineration modes, the energy conversion rate of any component of refuse can reach 75% and 85% in low-oxygen plateau areas at temperatures of 450 and 650 degrees C, respectively, which were 5%-10% lower than those in plain areas. The regional distribution of energy conversion of refuse in Lhasa showed that the energy conversion rate under the gasification mode was 3%-5% lower than that of the incineration mode at 450 and 650 degrees C. In terms of temperature, the energy conversion rates of refuse were 5%-10% lower at 450 degrees C than those at 650 degrees C, but an energy conversion rate of more than 85% can still be achieved. Thus, gasification, incineration, or gasification-assisted secondary incineration at temperatures of at least 450 degrees C is suitable for energy recovery of refuse in low-oxygen plateau areas.