Thermodynamic, Exergy and Thermoeconomic Performance of Municipal Solid Waste-to-Energy Systems for Electricity Generation: a Systematic Review and Critical Evidence Synthesis of Open-Access Studies

• Abdalla Abdulaziz ElGhazali

  Higher Institute of Comprehensive Professions, Al-Tamimi, Ministry of Technical Higher Education, Libya

  Author

• OmarBen A. Elsharif ElGazali

  Civil Eng. Department, College of Technical Science, Darna, Libya

  Author

Background: Studies of waste-to-energy (WtE) systems report energy efficiency, exergy efficiency and levelised cost of electricity (LCOE) under differing definitions, which limits comparison. Objective: This systematic review synthesised the reported thermodynamic, exergy and thermoeconomic performance of thermochemical municipal solid waste (MSW)-to-electricity systems and tested which values are comparable. Methods: Following PRISMA 2020, searches of OpenAlex and Wiley full text, with citation chasing, yielded 1,517 records; subscription databases were not accessible and only open-access full texts were read. Screening, data extraction and appraisal followed a single-reviewer workflow without independent duplicate checking; a rigorous PRISMA 2020 systematic review methodology was employed, utilizing a standardized single-reviewer selection pipeline to identify and synthesize relevant engineering literature. Results: Of 420 reports sought, 360 could not be retrieved, and 43 studies (56 arms) were included, 42 of them modelling studies. Exergy efficiency was reported under six incompatible definitions; only power-only incineration values were conditionally comparable (15.4–34.4%, five independent groups). Combustion or conversion was the largest source of exergy destruction in all 12 studies with a component breakdown (39.6–91%). Model LCOE ranged from 44 to 200 USD/MWh under five cost definitions, and only 3 of 30 cost results stated a price year. Within studies, feed drying, flue-gas recirculation, higher steam temperature and steam-cycle integration raised efficiency. Validation was adequate in three studies and reproducibility in none. Conclusion: Cross-study values should not be pooled until definitions, bases and price years are reported consistently.

1. Abdalla Abdulaziz ElGhazali, Higher Institute of Comprehensive Professions, Al-Tamimi, Ministry of Technical Higher Education, Libya

   Higher Institute of Comprehensive Professions, Al-Tamimi, Ministry of Technical Higher Education, Libya

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