Performance investigation and optimization of municipal solid waste incineration: enhancing energy efficiency and reducing emissions via Aspen Plus simulation, study case in Soreang, Indonesia

Indonesia faces a critical waste management challenge, generating over 38 million tons of waste annually, with nearly 40% remaining unmanaged.Waste-to-Energy (WtE) technologies, such as incineration, offer a sustainable solution by reducing waste volume while recovering energy.However, emissions of NOx, CO, and other pollutants from incinerators remain a major concern.This study investigates the performance of a municipal solid waste (MSW) incinerator in Soreang, Indonesia, using Aspen Plus simulations to analyze the impact of superheated steam injection on emission reduction and energy efficiency.Key variables included steam mass flow rates (60-120 kg/h) and flue gas integration for waste drying.Results demonstrated that superheated steam injection significantly reduced emissions, with CO decreasing by 0.63 ppm (139.935 to 139.303 ppm) and NO declining by 0.038 ppm (7.877 to 7.839 ppm) across the tested range.The simulation model exhibited high predictive accuracy (RMSE = 0.196) when validated against field data.Furthermore, an optimized intermittent furnace design reduced energy consumption by 3.94-4.16%compared to the existing system, highlighting improved combustion efficiency.The integration of steam and flue gas for MSW drying also achieved a 36.91%moisture reduction, enhancing combustion stability.This study confirms that superheated steam injection is a viable strategy for mitigating emissions in MSW incineration, while the proposed design improvements advance energy recovery.The findings provide actionable insights for policymakers and engineers seeking to align WtE systems with circular economy principles in developing regions.