Green residues from Bangkok green space for renewable energy recovery, phosphorus recycling and greenhouse gases emission reduction. (March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Thitanuwat, Bussarakam; Polprasert, Chongchin; Englande, Andrew J.
• Is Part Of: Waste management. Volume 61(2017)
• Page Start: 572
• Page End: 581
• Publication Date: 2017-03
• Subjects: BMA Bangkok Metropolitan Administration -- UGS Urban Green Space, residential areas (households and public areas) in Bangkok which are covered by trees, shrubs and/or any kinds of plants that need maintenance and produce green residues -- GHGs Greenhouse Gases including carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide -- GR Green Residues, wood chips, leaves, trimmings and cut branches produced from the processes of gardening, decorating and/or trimming in BMA -- NPP Net Primary Productivity -- 3R the principle of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle -- Eout energy flux from electricity generated from GR incineration -- Ein energy flux from solar radiation that touches the earth's surface (168 Wm−2, 12 hd−1) -- GWP Global Warming Potential; Greenhouse gases -- Green residues -- Phosphorus recycling -- Renewable energy -- Thailand -- Urban green space; Hazardous wastes -- Periodicals; Refuse and refuse disposal -- Periodicals; 363.728
• DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2016.12.012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0956-053X

Abstract

Highlights: Optimum area of UGS for Bangkok is determined without over-dense tree population. Only one quarter of Bangkok area shows optimum potential of green space expansion. Green residues are a source of renewable energy recovery and phosphorus recycling. About 70% of GHGs emissions can be reduced from the alternative GR management. Abstract: Effective ways to integrate human life quality, environmental pollution mitigation and efficient waste management strategies are becoming a crisis challenge for sustainable urban development. The aims of this study are: (1) to evaluate and recommend an optimum Urban Green Space (UGS) area for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA); and (2) to quantify potential renewable resources including electricity generation and potential nutrient recovery from generated ash. Green House Gases (GHGs) emissions from the management of Green Residues (GR) produced in a recommended UGS expansion are estimated and compared with those from the existing BMA waste management practice. Results obtained from this study indicate that an increase in UGS from its current 2.02% to 22.4% of the BMA urban area is recommended. This optimum value is primarily due to the area needed as living space for its population. At this scale, GR produced of about 334 kt·y −1 may be used to generate electricity at the rate of 206 GWh·y −1 by employing incineration technology. Additionally, instead of going to landfill, phosphorus (P) contained in the ash of 1077 t P·y −1 could be recovered to produce P fertilizer to be recycled for agricultural cultivation. Income earned from selling these products is found to offset all of the operational cost of the proposed GR management methodology itself plus 7% of the cost of BMA's Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) operations. About 70% of the current GHGs emission may be reduced based on incineration simulation.