Abstract
Feasibility on integrated treatment system for food waste recycling is studied through a life cycle assessment. The systems are consisted of disposers, a drainage system, dewatering and separation devices, a swage treatment system, and a fermentation system. Life cycle energy consumption (LCE) of the construction of existing waste treatment facility which includes energy of construction, maintenance and operation is calculated as 282.7Mcal/person/year. The LCE of the integrated systems are 356.3-396.8Mcal/person/year. The integrated systems present smaller life cycle carbon dioxide emission (LC-CO2) than that of the existing facility because of reductions of combustible refuses. Introducing the integrated systems in an urban area, the number of laborers for waste collection and transport could be reduced by 30%, and the LCE would decrease to 45%. Heating value of combustible refuses at the incineration plant would increase from 2, 200kcal/kg to 2, 668kcal/kg. However, the total heating value would decrease to some extent due to less amount of waste. Only 10% of compost fertilizer made in the integrated systems could be consumed in the project area. Finding a new market of fertilizer outside of the project areas would be an issue to facilitate recycling of organic resources.
