Waste-to-energy technologies offer a sustainable solution to waste management by converting waste into usable energy. These technologies can reduce dependency on fossil fuels and reduce the need for landfills.

Over the years, campaigns to raise awareness about the environmental consequences of solid waste have been launched to encourage individuals, groups, and institutions to adopt more sustainable practices.

As a result, waste management has taken on a new level of importance as a potential source of energy. Because when properly managed, waste can be transformed into a valuable energy source. 

The Science Behind Incineration and Gasification: How They Work and What Makes Them Effective

Waste can be converted into electricity and heat through waste management processes called Incineration and Gasification. These technologies can provide a greener alternative to traditional fossil fuels and divert waste from landfills.

Incineration, a Prevalent Waste-To-Energy Technique

Incineration is a prevalent waste-to-energy (WTE) technique that involves burning waste at high temperatures to produce heat, which can then be used to generate electricity or steam. This method is widely adopted due to its effective performance in eliminating waste and producing energy.

Incineration in the UK: Reducing Reliance on Natural Gas

In the UK, there are 53 active WTE plants that produce around 3% of the nation’s overall electricity-producing capacity. The heat from the waste incineration plants somehow reduces the reliance on imports of natural gas as this heat could then be used for industrial or domestic use.

WTE Facilities in Japan: Reducing Emissions and Generating Power

In Japan, there are over 100 WTE facilities following strict guidelines to reduce the emissions of harmful pollutants and operating to generate enough electricity to power over 1 million homes. The country has been a leader in WTE technology and has been successful in reducing waste and generating electricity and heat.

Reports indicate that Japan’s success in waste management will be replicated in Vietnam and other Asian countries.

The Concerns About Incineration

Although there are positive outcomes, incineration remains a controversial waste management practice. Some people believe that it is a necessary evil, while others believe that it is harmful to the environment.

Additionally, some literature has backed these claims indicating that it is also responsible for various environmental and human health issues. This 2019 study says that incineration releases greenhouse gases (GHGs), such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide, ammonia, and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere. 

Weighing Benefits and Risks

However, the study also emphasized that the extent of the environmental impact of incineration depends on a number of factors, including the type of waste being burned, the design of the incinerator, and the operating temperature.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to use incineration as a waste management practice is a complex one that must weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks.

The Science of Gasification: Cleaner Electricity and Heat

Gasification thermochemical process that involves heating the waste plastic at 700–1100°C with a controlled amount of oxygen to produce industrial gas mixtures called synthesis gas or syngas.

Syngas is composed of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, along with smaller amounts of other gases like carbon dioxide and methane. It has a wide range of applications and can be purified and used to produce fuels and chemicals, or can be burned to generate heat and electricity. 

Syngas for Electricity and Heat

One of the primary applications of syngas is combustion in gas turbines or engines to generate electricity and heat.

Some claim that it is a highly efficient method of energy production, with the added benefit of reducing greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional energy production methods.

Syngas: A Greener Fuel for Vehicles and Machines

Syngas can also be converted into liquid fuels such as methanol, ethanol, and synthetic diesel, which can be used as a gasoline substitute with fewer emissions. These fuels can be used to power vehicles and other machines.

According to this study, syngas is a promising fuel for internal combustion engines as it can reduce greenhouse gas and hydrocarbon emissions. Although engines powered by syngas are still in their early stages, the technology has reached a considerable level of technical development. 

Syngas: A Key Ingredient in Many Industrial Processes

Syngas also can be converted into chemicals such as ammonia, methanol, and dimethyl ether. These chemicals are used in a variety of industries, including fertilizer, plastics, and more.

Sustainable Waste Management for a Cleaner Future

As the world searches for ways to combat plastic pollution and attain sustainability, waste management has emerged as a critical factor in reducing our environmental impact. 

Just as these existing technologies involve transforming solid waste to be a valuable resource to promote clean energy production, our work at BillionBricks involves promoting sustainability and reducing our environmental impact. One of our primary initiatives is utilizing solar energy to create a more environmentally friendly future.

If you have a project in mind, we would love to hear about it and explore ways to work together.

For further information on how BillionBricks can benefit your community, get in touch with us at hello@billionbricks.org.

References:

1. ScienceDirect. (2022). Incineration. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/incineration 

2. Environment and Energy, Resource Management. Waste not, want not: why the UK needs to utilise waste to generate more energy. Circular Online; 2022

3. S.M. Al-Salem. (2019). 3 – Energy Production From Plastic Solid Waste (PSW). Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780128131404000030 

4. ScienceDirect. (2023). Gasification. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/gasification 

5. Pohjakallio, Maija. et. al. (2020). Chapter 13 – Chemical routes for recycling—dissolving, catalytic, and thermochemical technologies.  Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B978012817880500013X 

6. Paykani, Amin, et. al. (2022). Synthesis gas as a fuel for internal combustion engines in transportation. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360128522000041 

7. Donguines, Arvin. (2019). Japan: Leading the Way to Turn Waste into Energy. Retrieved from https://www.breakingasia.com/japan/japan-leading-the-way-to-turn-waste-into-energy/ 

8. JapanGov. (2022). Burning Garbage, but Reducing Greenhouse Gases. Retrieved from https://www.japan.go.jp/kizuna/2022/08/burning_garbage.html 

9. UnDark. (2019). As the World’s Garbage Piles Up, Controversy Over Waste-to-Energy Continues. Retrieved from https://undark.org/2019/10/22/garbage-waste-energy-technology-controversy/