Thesis Abstract

Agricultural and food waste generated globally each year represents an untapped renewable energy resource. This study aims to analyze the types and quantities of waste produced from various agricultural and food industry processes in [location]. The energy content of different waste streams will be determined through proximate and ultimate analysis. Potential conversion technologies such as anaerobic digestion, combustion, gasification and fermentation will be evaluated to assess their technical feasibility and energy yields. A life cycle assessment will provide insights into the environmental impacts of different waste to energy pathways. The economic viability of setting up decentralized waste to energy plants will also be examined. The results of this study can help inform sustainable waste management strategies and development of renewable energy sources in the region.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction
  - Background and motivation
  - Objectives
  - Scope and limitations
  - Organization of the report

Chapter 2 Literature Review
  - Types and quantities of agricultural and food waste globally
  - Characterization methods for waste feedstocks
  - Overview of waste to energy conversion technologies
  - Environmental and economic aspects of waste to energy projects

Chapter 3 Methodology
  - Identification and quantification of local waste streams
  - Proximate and ultimate analysis of select waste samples
  - Technical analysis of conversion pathways
  - Life cycle assessment framework
  - Financial analysis approach

Chapter 4 Results and Discussion
  - Characterization of local waste streams
  - Energy potential from different conversion technologies
  - Environmental impacts of waste to energy options
  - Economic feasibility assessment
 
Chapter 5 Conclusions and Recommendations
  - Summary of key findings
  - Recommendations for sustainable waste management
  - Suggestions for future work

Thesis Overview