Energy from waste is a process by which discarded materials are converted into fuel or electricity. This can happen in many different ways. Gasification, Incineration, Landfill methane capture are all possible methods. Another option is to make use discarded plastic. The end result is clean, renewable energy that is both sustainable and friendly for the environment.
Gasification
Gasification of waste is an eco-friendly and efficient method to convert wasted energy. The process can produce as much as 1,000 kilowatts per hour of electricity from a single ton (MSW) of municipal solid waste. It can also produce chemicals as well as methanol, which forms the basis of many fertilizers. This process reduces landfill space requirements and reduces methane omissions.
Plasma gasification is one such method. This involves using extremely high temperatures and oxygen starved environments to transform waste material into simple compounds. It is similar to pyrolysis, although it generates high-temperature plasma gas. This process produces syngas, molten steel, and vitrified slate.
Incineration
Incineration of waste is a method that reduces the amount of waste and produces heat. The majority of the ash is made up of inorganic waste materials. Once the heat is generated, electricity can be produced from it. Incineration is an efficient method to produce clean energy and offsets the cost of landfills and fossil fuels. Incineration can reduce waste volume by up to 96%. It is not an alternative to landfills.
Some waste types cannot be disposed of in landfills, and incinerators can treat these types of waste. Incinerators can heat waste up to extremely high temperatures, which can kill pathogens and toxic substances. They can also be used to treat wastewater from chemical multiproduct plants that produce a variety of toxic waste. These toxins cannot normally be treated at traditional wastewater treatment facilities. A traditional method of disposing waste is to burn piles, or even pits. This method can however be very polluting.
Landfill methane capture
Landfill methane can be used to generate energy. It is produced when organic waste breaks down in a landfill. It is mostly made up of carbon dioxide and methane, with traces of other gases. The gas can be captured and used to make heat and energy.
To capture methane from a waste site, the anaerobic process is used to capture it. Perforated pipes are used to collect the landfill gas throughout the capped landfill. The pipes allow the gases rise vertically to the surface without flowing towards nearby buildings. The gases collected are either emitted into the atmosphere, burned, or passed through a flame. The methane is captured and converted to a renewable energy source, which is then sold at a profit.
Plastic waste transformation
Recently, a new conversion process uses hydrothermal liquefaction with efficient separation to make energy from plastic waste. This technology has the potential to produce renewable fuels and can also be used as feedstock for other chemicals. It could also be used for the production of specialty solvents or monomers. The technology could be used to meet as much as 4% of the world’s fuel needs. Next is scaling the technology to bigger scales.
RES Polyflow is a company which plans to process 100,000 tons plastic each year. It also converts the energy into fuel oil and naphtha for the production of polymers. The company signed a contract with BP in order to buy the production of the plant. It is anticipated that it will open its doors in 2011.
Conversion of agricultural refuse
Agricultural waste is a valuable resource and if properly converted, can be used to generate renewable energy sources such as biogas and bio-oil. It is costly to transport, store and harvest agricultural waste. Traditional methods of disposing of this waste are still used by many countries. They release toxic gases that can pose a danger to the environment as well as human health. Countries can use agricultural waste to generate energy, which helps them manage their waste and create renewable energy.
Pretreatment processes are used to reduce agricultural waste into a variety of components. One common thermochemical conversion method is microwave pyrolysis, which produces biochar, bio-oil, or syngas. In developing nations, biomass residues are not usually treated. They are left to naturally decompose or are burned.