Energetic recovery of biomass in the region of Rabat, Morocco

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy 2017-01, Vol.42 (2), p.1396-1402
• Main Authors: Naimi, Y., Saghir, M., Cherqaoui, A., Chatre, B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biogas; Biomass; Energy; Rabat region; Waste
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2016.07.055

Morocco has a potential of considerable biomass with a forest estate around nine million of hectares, and a herd around seven million units of large cattle. In particular, in the Rabat region, the amount of waste is about 714 350 Kg in 2014, who is equivalent to 0.96 Kg/inhabitant/day. In this document, we present, in the case of the Rabat, the Current situation of the electricity production from waste incineration. The data will be processed by statistical methods (Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) model and Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) model). The objective behind using these models is to introduce data for future years' estimates. We will show that the amount of electricity generated by incineration of waste in Rabat is in the order of more hundreds of Giga-watt-hours. This alternative allows a reduction in tonnage of accumulated waste and avoids its negative impact on the environment. It also provides energy independence. This involves, necessarily, construction of landfills and integration of neighbourhoods' population. •In the Rabat region, the amount of waste is about 714 350 Kg (0.96 Kg/inha./day) in 2014.•The calorific value of domestic waste in the Rabat region with humidity of 30% is 2.5 kWh/kg (9000 KJ/kg).•The maximums of gas and methane production are, respectively: Q = 34.34 Mm3, Q = 17.17 Mm3.•The discharge of Oum Azza (new landfill of Rabat) could deliver a quantity of methane (1 691 669.49 m3).•The amount of produced methane in the discharge of Oum Azza is equivalent to app. 9.18 GW/h of electricity.