Comparative analysis of a CCHP system based on municipal solid waste (MSW) gasification using micro gas turbine and internal combustion engine: Energy, exergy, economic, and environmental (4E) perspectives

This paper introduces a thermo-economic model for a combined cooling, heating, and power (CCHP) system using municipal solid waste (MSW) as feedstock, designed to operate without external energy sources. Two configurations are evaluated: one with a micro gas turbine-based (MGTB) generator and another with an internal combustion engine-based (ICEB) system. Syngas undergoes post-treatment and is used for power generation, steam and hot water production, and heating air for processes like the MSW dryer. The MGTB system achieves energy efficiencies of 41.03 % (summer) and 42.18 % (cold season), while the ICEB system achieves 61.37 % and 67.77 %, respectively. Exergy efficiencies for the MGTB system are 9.52 % and 10.87 %, and for the ICEB system, 31.12 % and 29.93 %, respectively. The annual cost per MWh for the MGTB system is $10.38, compared to $8.69 for the ICEB system. CO 2 emissions for the MGTB system are 9548 and 8882 tons per year (hot and winter), while the ICEB system emits 7488 and 7055 tons per year, respectively. The ICEB system's higher exergy efficiency leads to lower exergy loss, a 270 % increase in the environmental improvement index, and a 26 % annual increase in the sustainability index compared to the MGTB system. • Two CCHP models (MGTB, ICEB) based on MSW analyzed without external energy. • MGTB and ICEB systems have annual energy efficiencies of 41.59 % and 64.53 %. • MGTB and ICEB systems have annual exergy efficiencies of 10.19 % and 30.53 %. • Annual LCOE for MGTB and ICEB systems are 10.23 and 8.69 $/MWh, respectively. • MGTB and ICEB systems cut CO 2 emissions by 7214 and 9218 tons annually.