Abstract <p>The accumulation of solid waste, wastewater, and energy deficiency has become a global concern. In particular, Iraq has been living with these issues since the 80 s of the last century without feasible solutions. For this reason, in this study, we have suggested different conversion methods based on the incineration technique, refuse-derived fuel (RDF), and biomethane technique to transform solid wastes into energy. Furthermore, this study suggests a chemical organic degradable (COD) method to convert wastewater into energy. These conversion methods were analyzed and discussed thoroughly based on real data collected from 267 municipal solid facilities and 66 water treatment plants in 15 Iraqi provinces. The research findings reveal that Iraq spent 21.1 billion US dollars (USD) to generate and import 28000 megawatts (MW) of electrical power in 2024. This study indicates that the Iraqi power generation grid and the poorly treated solid wastes and wastewater released nearly 96.3 million metric tons (MMT) of CO<InlineEquation ID="IEq1"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$_{2}$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <mmultiscripts> <mrow /> <mn>2</mn> <mrow /> </mmultiscripts> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation> into the atmosphere in 2024. This study shows that the suggested incineration, RDF, biomethane, and COD methods could deliver (21.2–26.7) terawatt hours (TWh). At the same time, the production cost of Iraq’s energy can be reduced by (1.8–2.3) billion USD. Furthermore, the CO<InlineEquation ID="IEq2"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$_{2}$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <mmultiscripts> <mrow /> <mn>2</mn> <mrow /> </mmultiscripts> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation> emissions are reduced by 7.4 MMT. Finally, this work reveals that converting solid wastes and wastewater to energy could effectively participate in energy generation, energy cost reduction, and CO<InlineEquation ID="IEq3"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$_{2}$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <mmultiscripts> <mrow /> <mn>2</mn> <mrow /> </mmultiscripts> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation> emissions avoidance.</p> Graphic Abstract <p></p>

The co-benefits of treating solid wastes and wastewater in Iraq to energy, economic, and environmental sectors based on incineration, RDF, biomethane, and chemical organic degradable

期刊论文
发表日期：

2025年6月18日

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Mustafa Wassef Hasan,
Nizar Hadi Abbas

摘要

Abstract

The accumulation of solid waste, wastewater, and energy deficiency has become a global concern. In particular, Iraq has been living with these issues since the 80 s of the last century without feasible solutions. For this reason, in this study, we have suggested different conversion methods based on the incineration technique, refuse-derived fuel (RDF), and biomethane technique to transform solid wastes into energy. Furthermore, this study suggests a chemical organic degradable (COD) method to convert wastewater into energy. These conversion methods were analyzed and discussed thoroughly based on real data collected from 267 municipal solid facilities and 66 water treatment plants in 15 Iraqi provinces. The research findings reveal that Iraq spent 21.1 billion US dollars (USD) to generate and import 28000 megawatts (MW) of electrical power in 2024. This study indicates that the Iraqi power generation grid and the poorly treated solid wastes and wastewater released nearly 96.3 million metric tons (MMT) of CO $_{2}$ $_{2}$ into the atmosphere in 2024. This study shows that the suggested incineration, RDF, biomethane, and COD methods could deliver (21.2–26.7) terawatt hours (TWh). At the same time, the production cost of Iraq’s energy can be reduced by (1.8–2.3) billion USD. Furthermore, the CO $_{2}$ $_{2}$ emissions are reduced by 7.4 MMT. Finally, this work reveals that converting solid wastes and wastewater to energy could effectively participate in energy generation, energy cost reduction, and CO $_{2}$ $_{2}$ emissions avoidance.

Graphic Abstract