Project topics and materials
Get Complete Project Material File(s) Now! »
Method
This study aims to create a ground for further projects within waste-to-energy throughout Brazil. To achieve the goals, fulfill the purpose and research questions, different techniques have been used to gather and analyze the necessary data. Initially, the literature review is directly connected to RQ1. As it investigates the role of WTE according to the current literature, the review brings enough information to answer this research question.
The secondary data will be analyzed with regard to the current literature, attempting to answer RQ2 by determining how WTE can contribute to the region. The results from RQ1 contribute to these findings, by providing the literature’s perspective on benefits from waste to energy. The input from secondary data enables the current literature to be specified into the regional setting. Finally, RQ3 is also investigated by using mainly empirical data, but also directed by the current literature. The economic perspective of WTE in is specified to the regional setting, wherefore the findings answer this research question. As this paper also present a sustainability perspective, RQ2 and RQ3 are connected, as they together present the three pillars of sustainability for the plant as shown in figure 1.
The working process
This research follows a flexible design, where the working process is non-linear. An initial study on the field has been conducted to clarify the problem and define a purpose for this study. Once the goals were set, the process begins by studying the current literature to identify the key aspects of waste incineration. The literature review aims to create an overview of the alternatives within WTE. Following the literature review, secondary data is gathered through a document review, initially regarding the situation of the region studied. Data from Swedish and European databases are used as means of comparing the regional situation.
Once the situation is well detailed, the paper begins a technical analysis of that data with regard to the theoretical framework. After determining details of the WTE plant, a secondary document review begins to technical and economic data on the selected subprocesses. This part aims to review technical and economic aspects for the plant. The document review continues after the technical and economic data, with an analysis of the economic, social and environmental implications of a WTE in the region. These analyses takes into consideration the data from European countries as means of comparison. Figure 2 pictures this process.
A discussion of method and findings was carried, answering the proposed research questions.
The paper then draw conclusions and propose further research within this field.
Approach
This research has been carried by using mainly qualitative data, as it seemed fit to fulfil the goal of the study. A qualitative approach aims to answer how, when and why a phenomenon occurred (Meyrick, 2006). According to Creswell (2018), the study can be strengthened by using two or more methods or techniques to investigate the problem. Thus, the paper gathers qualitative data from both document reviews and a literature review. Moreover, it will neutralize the weaknesses of each form of data. Thus, this paper uses both types of data to increase the validity and reliability of the results.
The research was based on reviewing existing documents of the selected municipality and analyzing them, using the theoretical background as a framework for these analyses. Lastly, conclusions were drawn from a sustainable perspective, consequently a deductive research approach was applied. A deductive research approach means that existing theories are tested in the empirical data, wherefore conclusions are drawn with base on the theory (Söderbom and Ulvenblad, 2016).
To conduct the pre-feasibility study of a waste incineration plant in Brazil in an orderly manner, similar cases were reviewed. The aim on to find relevance in the planning and execution of the work.
Design
This paper used a flexible design approach, as most of the data gathered will be of qualitative nature. Moreover, the data collection and analysis process are non-linear, with different parts influencing each other. That creates an argument in favor of a flexible design, which is most often used in non-linear studies (Williamson 2002).
The primary method that has been used in this research is a case study. Case studies are characterized by investigating one instance, to be studied in detail and in several dimensions. In qualitative research, case studies are commonly used, providing a wider amount of evidence than other methods. Matthew (2006) backs that claim by arguing a case study is the best possible source of description in its own way. Furthermore, it enables a more in-depth examination of a particular case, which provides leads that otherwise might never be found (Brewerton and Millward, 2001). Thus, as this project approaches a subject of little development in Brazil, the use of a case study becomes highly useful to fulfill the purpose.
As the purpose of this paper involves supporting the construction of a WTE plant in Brazil, the paper is also connected to a feasibility study. However, as described by Mackenzie and Cusworth (2007), the application of feasibility studies has often been wrong, most often due to misunderstanding of the study phases. The ultimate goal of a feasibility phase in a study is to determine if the project is feasible or not, which is not the goal of this paper.
Thus, following Mackenzie and Cusworth (2007) argument of study phases, this paper will primarily use the structure of pre-feasibility studies. That is to evaluate different alternatives for the WTE plant, determining which is the most suited for the region. This structure includes determining preliminary technical and economic aspects; consider different processes and project configurations; propose the best option to proceed for a feasibility study; identify key stakeholders; assess the risks; identify requirements for the project completion. These aspects are addressed throughout the report (Mackenzie & Cusworth, 2007).
This study is not a comparison study. The design of the research follows an exploratory approach, using different techniques to collect data and analyze the current situation. Then propose a plan for installing a waste-to-energy plant in the chosen municipality, while also judging the feasibility of the project. The research has been carried in partnership with government bodies in Brazil. In 2017 a delegation of Brazilian representatives visited Sweden, in a series of events organized with Jönköping University. The goal was to find commercial partners and areas for mutual cooperation, wherein the delegation visited a Waste to Energy plant. From this start point, a project to open such a facility in Santa Catarina began, expanding the cooperation between these two countries. The project studied in this paper has its ground within this cooperation, wherefore the data collection was facilitated. Therefore, Sweden and the EU have been used as basis of comparing the data gathered from Brazil.
1 Introduction
1.1 BACKGROUND
1.2 PROBLEM DESCRIPTION
1.3 PURPOSE AND RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1.4 DELIMITATIONS
1.5 OUTLINE
2 Method
2.1 THE WORKING PROCESS
2.2 APPROACH
2.3 DESIGN
2.4 EMPIRICAL DATA COLLECTION
2.5 DATA ANALYSIS
2.6 CREDIBILITY
3 Theoretical Framework
3.1 WASTE MANAGEMENT AND ENERGY RECOVERY
3.2 WASTE TO ENERGY
3.3 COMBUSTION TECHNOLOGIES
3.4 HEAT RECOVERY TECHNOLOGIES
3.5 FLUE GAS CLEANING
3.6 WTE PROCESS OVERVIEW
3.7 ECONOMIC ASPECTS
3.8 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL ASPECTS
4 Findings and analysis
4.1 REGIONAL BACKGROUND
4.2 TECHNICAL ANALYSIS
4.3 TECHNICAL AND ECONOMIC DATA
4.4 ANALYSIS
5 Discussion and conclusions
5.1 DISCUSSION OF METHOD
5.2 DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
5.3 CONCLUSIONS
6 References
7 Appendices
Industrial Engineering and Management
