Techno-economic feasibility analysis for gas turbine and reciprocating engine-based power generation using biogas: A case study of Karachi, Pakistan

Authors

  • Syed Saad Ali Hamdard University
  • Syed Asad Ali Zaidi Isalmic University of Madinah
  • Rashid Hussain Hamdard University
  • Abdul Hameed Memon Hamdard University
  • Shujaat Ali Tianjin University
  • Muhammad Asif NUST

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.38208/ete.v5.793

Keywords:

biogas, feasibility, gas turbine, RETScreen, Reciprocating Engine

Abstract

The dependency on imported fossil fuels increases cost and environmental issues. Karachi the biggest and most densely populated city of Pakistan is experiencing severe energy shortage issues. This feasibility study evaluates the biogas transformation of Karachi city waste-to-energy utilizing conventional systems with few emissions. An estimation of energy potential was carried out to determine the potential generated in Karachi city for power generation using municipal waste. A modified energy model was used to determine the cooling load for a 100 kW power generation plant. The measurement of mathematical formulations was observed to monitor the affectivity of biogas generation. This study utilizes a biogas digester with anaerobic treatment technology to convert organic waste to energy. Feasibility analysis of this data is conducted in RETScreen Clean Energy Analysis software to compare different clean energy techniques. This feasibility is conducted for a 100 kW Power plant. Two options for power generation using biogas were selected i.e. reciprocating engine and gas turbine. The proposed reciprocating engine-based cooling system initial total cost of the biogas system is US 415,000 $ while gas turbine cost is 120,000 $ with payback period of 15 years. The proposed reciprocating engine produces 305 t CO? with 87.1% and gas turbine produces 16,600 t CO? with 38.4%. Results showed a cumulative comparative analysis among gas turbine and reciprocating engines that examines that reciprocating engine is recommended for high power efficiency with few emissions. The reciprocating engine has a better predicting ability for power generation with less carbon emissions, which is one of the key findings of the present study.

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Published

2025-07-21

How to Cite

Ali, S. S., Zaidi, S. A. A., Hussain, R., Memon, A. H., Ali, S. ., & Asif, M. (2025). Techno-economic feasibility analysis for gas turbine and reciprocating engine-based power generation using biogas: A case study of Karachi, Pakistan. Energy and Thermofluids Engineering, 5, 25-34. https://doi.org/10.38208/ete.v5.793