A Thermo-Economic Approach to Energy from Waste

Case studies are provided on waste disposal in selected favelas (slums) of Rio de Janeiro, including data on subnormal clusters and analyses of solid waste in the 37 slums of Catumbi. Step-by-step guidance is provided on how to use a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach to analyze the potential impact of various waste-to-energy conversion technologies, and a brief overview of the common applications of LCA in other geographical locations is presented, including United States, Europe, China, and Brazil. Finally, waste-to-value-added functional catalysts for the transesterification process in biodiesel production are discussed alongside various other novel technologies for biodiesel production, process simulation, and techno-economic analysis of biodiesel production. Bringing together research and real-world case studies from an LCA perspective, the book provides an ideal reference for researchers and practitioners interested in waste-to-energy conversion, LCA, and the sustainable production of bioenergy.