|
Conversion technologies refer to a wide array of state of the art technologies capable of converting unrecyclable solid waste into useful products, such as green fuels and renewable energy, in an environmentally beneficial way. These technologies may be thermal, chemical, biological, mechanical, or a combination of processes, but do not include incineration (waste combustion).
Most conversion technologies can be described as having three separate and distinct components: (1) front-end MSW preprocessing, (2) the conversion unit, and (3) the energy/chemicals production system. Front-end preprocessing is used to prepare the solid waste for treatment by helping to separate out any recyclables.
|
The level of preprocessing varies depending on technology. Shredding, grinding, and/or drying the MSW may be required to create a more homogeneous feedstock for some of the thermal technologies. Alternatively, a water-based separation technique may be used in biological processes. The energy production module can be a gas turbine, boiler, or reciprocating engine for power production.
|
Conversion technologies are an integral process in achieving a zero-waste goal. These technologies not only create a beneficial product, but have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollutants, from disposal and transportation avoidance as well as fuel/electricity offsets.
|
Thermal Processes:
Ntech Environmental uses gasification to convert the municipal solid waste (MSW) to a syngas and metallic slag. The syngas is cleaned and used in a turbine to create renewable energy, and the slag by-product can be used as an aggregate raw material for construction.
|
Interstate Waste Technologies uses a machine press on pre-sorted non-recyclable MSW which feeds to a pyrolysis/gasification combination process to convert the MSW into a syngas and slag-type of by-product. The syngas can be used in a turbine to generate renewable energy and the slag by-product can be used as an aggregate raw material for construction. |
International Environmental Solutions uses pyrolysis to take pre-sorted non-recyclable MSW and converts it into a syngas and carbon char. The syngas can be used in a turbine to generate renewable energy, and the carbon char can be re-activated and turned into a marketable product. |
Biological/Chemical Processes:
ArrowBio uses a water medium to sort/separate the non-recyclable municipal solid waste (MSW), which feeds to an Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket. This converts the MSW to bio-gas, while the organics form a soil-amendment. The bio-gas can be used in a turbine to create renewable energy, while the soil-amendment can be used for land application; other non-decomposable waste is landfilled.
|
|
|
