10 replies to this topic

[Shortpoet-GTD]

A few countries have embraced burning trash for fuel but from this article from
David Suzuki, it's not the answer to our problems with waste.
It adds more problems than it resolves.

Emissions- mercury, dioxins, furans,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Furan
carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, cadmium, toxic ash,
high lead levels, among other toxins.

http://ecowatch.com/...e-of-resources/

[yoder]

We have an incinerator in Minneapolis and there has been a lot of talk about the good and bad.  The 3R's will always need to be at the forefront of any planning, and burning should only ever be used as a lesser of the evil options available.  The issues with Sweden and Germany running short on trash as fuel just means that the incinerators may not have been as well planned out as initially thought.  The idea that these countries might try to generate more trash to fuel their incinerators is frightening, but the most likely solution for them would be to import trash from elsewhere.  Either way, not a happy thought.

[Mullerstainz]

Despite the waste combustion produces a certain amount of energy is still a source that pollute. We must consider the fact that waste must be dispose of way and if we can extract energy from this process it’s a good thing, with a condition: this source should be used with caution. I’m in favor of any source that pollute less than fossil fuels even though I still prefer renewables.

[Shortpoet-GTD]

I agree with both of you but if they can capture the emissions and clean/filter the emissions; that would be a
a viable energy source and eliminating trash to boot.
Other companies, sources do this; I don't see why they can't. It's a head scratcher.

[yoder]

This is what I have been reading about regarding incineration.  If this was an option here, I'd be all over it like a bad rug.

http://www.nytimes.c...wanted=all&_r=0

It's plasma gasification.  I think we've discussed it on this forum before, but not sure.

From Wikipedia:
Plasma gasification is a process which converts organic matter into synthetic gas,^[1] electricity,^[2] and slag^[1] using plasma. A plasma torch powered by an electric arc is used to ionize gas and catalyze organic matter into synthetic gas and solid waste (slag).^[1][3][4] It is used commercially as a form of waste treatment and has been tested for the gasification of biomass and solid hydrocarbons, such as coal, oil sands, and oil shale.^[3]

[Shortpoet-GTD]

yoder, on 19 November 2013 - 05:42 AM, said:

This is what I have been reading about regarding incineration.  If this was an option here, I'd be all over it like a bad rug.

http://www.nytimes.c...wanted=all&_r=0

It's plasma gasification.  I think we've discussed it on this forum before, but not sure.

From Wikipedia:
Plasma gasification is a process which converts organic matter into synthetic gas,^[1] electricity,^[2] and slag^[1] using plasma. A plasma torch powered by an electric arc is used to ionize gas and catalyze organic matter into synthetic gas and solid waste (slag).^[1][3][4] It is used commercially as a form of waste treatment and has been tested for the gasification of biomass and solid hydrocarbons, such as coal, oil sands, and oil shale.^[3]

I saw a video on that years ago on one of the shows on Planet Green (back when they were still a green channel)

"I'd be all over it like a bad rug" (Why bring up trump?)

[Tyler85]

Very interesting article. The benefits of incineration really seem to be thrown around the place without emphasising its negative aspects. And the author is very much correct when he talks about the level of incineration in Europe...especially Sweden: http://www.statista....eastern-europe/

[Shortpoet-GTD]

No date on this article, but it speaks to the fact that plasma arc gasification is catching on in the US, and Mexico.
Advanced Plasma Power has formed a joint venture to gasify tons of trash in Belgium.
http://www.waste-man...-in-the-us.html

Their website-
http://www.advancedp...s-and-partners/

And this article with opposing views to the process.
http://e360.yale.edu...ver_trash/2686/

[eds]

Burning candles to heat a room

[Shortpoet-GTD]

I saw that on the web someplace.
I usually burn a lot of candles in the winter time; nice aroma's too.

If they can perfect the process of burning trash for energy; we certainly have enough. The tonnage
statistics are staggering.
Landfill trash-
1995 A bit less than 5 lbs per person. 4.4
2010 (latest figures) 4.4
We're doing very good.
http://www.epa.gov/o...v_factsheet.pdf

[E3 wise]

Ok I am somewhat torn on this issue.  Of course my first rule is reduce, reuse and recycle.  But 9 billion human and you are going to produce a lot of waste.

So you compost a lot and use all the organics you can, but guess what, still have plastics and a lot of stuff that just won’t compost.

To say I am on the fence is an understatement.  I support using all the methane in best case a fuel cell, worst case burning because methane is really a worse green house gas then CO2.  I have read a lot of pros on the plasma gasification process and it sounds promising.  That does not mean I believe everything.

Waste Management operates a large waste gasification process in Broward County Florida, I have been to the facility, seen all the recycled waste that is removed before the rest is use to produce around 16 MW of electricity.  It produces 1/10^th of the emissions of a coal fired power plant.

It uses older 1990’s plasma technology so, It does not produce diesel.  That technology is new to me.  Anyway I see lot’s of Pro’s and Con’s, I am on the fence and we will see how good or bad the technology turns out to be. But with that said it’s not coal; or nuclear.