International Journal of Scientific Research and Engineering Development

As the world shifts to sustainable energy, hydrogen has gained attention as an eco-friendly energy solution. Meanwhile, managing municipal solid waste (MSW) remains a global challenge especially in developing nations. Moreover, improving the efficiency of thermal power plants has become a major focus in modern times as the traditional thermal power plants operate at sub-optimal efficiencies. This study explores incorporating an MSW gasification-based hydrogen production system into a thermal power plant (TPP), proposing a cogeneration system combining electricity and hydrogen production. A novel thermal model of the cogeneration system was formulated using CAD united cycle simulation software. The research evaluated the effects of varying morphological characteristics in MSW and the energy effects of transitioning to a cogeneration system. The findings revealed that at 75% and 25% volumetric hydrogen concentration in synthesis gas, reference fuel consumption decreased by 6.02 t/h and fuel heat utilization factor increased by 32.37% respectively, confirming enhanced energy efficiency. The findings demonstrate a viable approach to enhance TPP’s efficiency while addressing waste and energy challenges.