Analytic Hierarchy and Economic Analysis of a Plasma Gasification System for Naval Air Station Oceana-Dam Neck

Abstract

Background: Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana-Dam Neck is a Master Jet Base located in Virginia Beach that currently has a population of over 28,000, this includes active duty military, family members and civilian employees. Currently the Public Works Department of Oceana maintains a contract with a municipal solid waste (MSW) Disposal Company for the collection of MSW generated on the base and disposal at a local landfill. Additionally the base receives its energy requirements from Dominion Virginia Power. In utilizing these services a substantial amount of financial resources must be committed to ensure an uninterrupted supply of these services and to maintain the infrastructure on base to supply them. Investment in a plasma gasification system allows for the opportunity to reduce the financial requirements of both of these demands as it provides for the disposal of MSW and in the process generates power for base usage. The plasma gasification system utilizes a plasma torch to ionize gas and organic matter, typically MSW, into synthetic gas and sag. The synthetic gas consists of carbon monoxide and H2, which can be utilized as a liquid or gas fuel for electrical or thermal energy generation. Thus in utilizing a plasma system two problems are potentially solved by this one solution.