Techno-Economic Analysis of Hydrogen and Oxygen Production Plant from Medical Waste for Hospitals in Jordan

Abstract

Jordan faces significant challenges in terms of energy generation due to a heavy reliance on energy import from neighbouring countries. The country also grapples with waste management issues stemming from various sources, particularly medical waste, despite the economic crisis that the country is going through. Furthermore, an accident occurred in government hospital due to oxygen shortages. To address these concerns, this investigation explores the possibility of self-sufficient production of oxygen to cover hospitals needs in Amman, Jordan, additional to the production of hydrogen to achieve self-sustained hospital operation in terms of power and heat requirement through the utilization of hospital medical waste (MW). Data of MW in Amman city were obtained from the Ministry of Health analysis, including the available supply, proximate and ultimate analysis. A new model using Aspen Plus software was developed to investigate the techno-economic and environmental aspect of the oxygen and hydrogen production. The hybrid system included gasification, organic Rankine cycle (ORC), solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) and electrolyser sub-systems. The plant achieved hydrogen and oxygen production rates of 67 kg/h and 519 kg/h, respectively, with exergy and energy efficiencies of 84% and 72%, respectively, and an electrical output of 1.1 MW and 52 kW from the SOFC and ORC, respectively. The total capital and operation costs of the system was estimated at 18,204,091$, with an annual income of 3,730.309$. The economic analysis yielded the net present value and payback period of 10,286,826$ and 7.5 years, respectively.