Could the gasification of Solid Recovered Fuel compete with its incineration? Answer by techno-economic and environmental analysis for the French case

Several valorisation pathways for Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF) utilising gasification to produce various outputs (heat, electricity and Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG)) were compared to the benchmark incineration. Energy yields varied notably among the scenarios: 66 % for incineration, 44 % for gasification followed by syngas combustion in a Combined Cycle Gas Turbine, and 54–62 % for SNG production (using Water Gas Shift or alkaline electrolysis to adjust the H 2 /CO ratio, respectively). Carbon assessments revealed that SNG production from SRF is only beneficial if the displaced electricity and heat due to SRF diversion are replaced by low-carbon sources (<70 kgCO 2eq /MWh e/th ). Applying the European delegated regulation 2023/1184, SNG-producing scenarios exhibited carbon intensities of 119 and 98 kgCO 2eq /MWh LHV , which exceeds the renewable threshold at 71 kgCO 2eq /MWh LHV . The economic analysis showed that the incineration remains the least risky option from an economic standpoint due to lower capital costs and reduced sensitivity to uncertainties. The Gasification → SNG appears competitive for SNG retail prices beyond 60 € 2023 /MWh HHV . The Gasification + AEL → SNG is the most profitable although the riskiest scenario, as its performance is only attainable with electricity prices below 100 € 2023 /MWh e and SNG retail prices above 100 € 2023 /MWh HHV . Amid the urgent need to reduce landfilling, these findings guide SRF valorisation strategies by balancing efficiency, carbon emissions mitigation and economic viability. • Solid Recovered fuels is a significant feedstock that can be valorised via gasification. • Several scenarios based on SRF gasification are compared to benchmark incineration. • SNG from SRF gasification is competitive if retail price of gas is beyond 60 € 2023 /MWh HHV . • The carbon intensity of the produced SNG highly depends on local energy networks. • SNG from SRF is relevant to decarbonize if heat and electricity networks are low carbon.