Optimizing Waste-to-Energy in High-Moisture Contexts: A Techno-Economic Feasibility Study of Feedstock Segregation in Benghazi, Libya

Abstract

Libya is facing a pressing dual challenge: its energy deficit, which is largely attributed to its aging infrastructure, and its waste management crisis, which is characterized by its high municipal solid waste (MSW) content (>55% organic moisture content). This barrier has historically hindered the implementation of efficient technologies in the region. In this study, the techno-economic viability of a proposed feedstock segregation technique for use in a proposed 5 MW WtE CHP facility in Benghazi, Libya, will be examined. The study utilized a mixed-methods approach, which entailed the following steps: (1) the generation of MSW modeling, which is extrapolated from the official Libyan census data in 2023 to the projected values in 2025, (2) the implementation of the proposed feedstock segregation model to segregate the high-calorific value materials, and (3) the application of financial modeling, which is conducted according to international standards. Annual MSW generation in Benghazi has been estimated to be around 322,139 t/year (2025 projected, based on Libyan census data for 2023). The segregation of dry matter (around 34% of total MSW) will generate 1.47 times more feedstock material, which is approximately 74,500 t/year, required for the proposed facility, and will comprise around 109,527 t/year of high calorific value material. The study corroborated the fact that the proposed approach of segregating the high-calorific value materials is a critical optimization strategy, especially in high-moisture content environments such as Libya. Therefore, the proposed approach is deemed to be viable, and the proposed plant is expected to have substantial economic and environmental benefits, especially in the Middle East and North Africa region.