Plasma arc waste disposal
Encyclopedia
Plasma arc gasification or Plasma Gasification Process abbreviated PGP is a waste treatment
technology that uses electrical energy and the high temperatures created by an electric arc
gasifier
. This arc breaks down waste primarily into elemental gas and solid waste (slag
), in a device called a plasma converter. The process has been intended to be a net generator
of electricity
, depending upon the composition of input wastes, and to reduce the volumes of waste being sent to landfill
sites.
are separated into individual atoms.
The reactor operates at a slightly negative pressure
, meaning that the feed system is complemented by a gaseous removal system, and later a solid removal system. Depending on the input waste (plastic
s tend to be high in hydrogen
and carbon
), gas from the plasma containment can be removed as syngas
, and may be refined into various fuels at a later stage or fired on site to provide power.
Syngas
is produced exclusively from organic materials with a conversion rate of greater than 99% using plasma gasification. Other inorganic materials in the waste stream that are not broken down but only go through a phase change (solid to liquid) add to the volume of slag with minimal energy recovery and increased cost for refining. For efficient operation of the plant, a portion of the syngas
may be used to run on site turbines to power the plasma torches and feed system.
The latest independent review of plasma technology providers was undertaken by Juniper Consulting in 2008, as well as a separate independent review on Alter NRG /Westinghouse technology.
(NCKU) in Tainan City, Taiwan
, which uses its proprietary Plasma Thermal Destruction Recovery method. The facility is able to handle 3–5 MT (3.3–5.5 ST) of waste per day from a variety of waste streams, including incinerator fly ash
, medical waste
, organic industrial process waste and inorganic sludges. It can also process waste consumer batteries
and other materials, including heavy metal sludges, and refinery catalysts (waste streams that would generate valuable metal alloy
s). The facility was constructed as part of a comprehensive resource recovery facility funded by the Taiwanese government
, marking the first time the Government of Taiwan committed financial and technical resources to the utilization of plasma technology. It was commissioned in November 2004 and received its operating permit in January, 2005. PEAT has been an active participant in the operations and maintenance of the facility on behalf of NCKU for its research purposes.
— a 166 short tons (150,592.7 kg) per day "pilot" plant in Yoshii
, co-developed by Hitachi Metals Ltd. and Westinghouse Plasma, which was certified after a demonstration period in 1999–2000; a 165 short tons (149,685.5 kg) per day plant in Utashinai City
, completed in 2002; and a 28 short tons (25,401.2 kg) per day plant commissioned by the twin cities of Mihama
and Mikata
in 2002.
at the Trail Road Landfill, to process 85 metric tons (93.7 ST) per day of municipal solid waste
. Unlike other plasma waste processing facilities, Plasco Energy Group's process does not use plasma to destroy waste, but rather to refine gases produced during waste conversion, in order to allow them to be used to run an internal combustion gas engine. On 24 October 2007, the Plasco Trail Road facility began delivering power to the grid.
The Plasco conversion system, which uses plasma to refine gases rather than expose them to extremely high temperatures, and whose liner is composed of refractory brick
rather than metal, is not susceptible to premature attack of vessel liners. Plasco's internal studies claim that its emissions are also much lower than any other thermal waste processing system. By converting waste to and water, rather than to methane
, the greenhouse gas
emissions of the process might be much less than competing technologies such as landfills. Plasco Energy is proposing a scaled up residual waste plasma gasification facility for Los Angeles
, California
.
In an update to local area residents on 6 December 2008, Plasco president Rod Bryden
said delays at its facility were caused by malfunctioning machinery, not problems with the waste-to-energy technology.
In 2011, Plasco is seeking a commercial license for a permanent operation in the Ottawa area, claiming success for its three-year pilot project. The government is conducting public hearings. The pilot plant was said to produce about 1 MWh of electricity from each tonne of waste.
A full scale plant will treat 100000 short tons (90,718.5 MT) per annum of municipal waste and produce:
A full scale plant will be 150 metres (492.1 ft) long, 50 metres (164 ft) wide, and along most of its length only 11 metres (36.1 ft) high. Above the thermal plant, the roof height is about 14 metres (45.9 ft), and the single exhaust for the engines 10 metres (32.8 ft) higher, at only 34 metres (111.5 ft). The building is approximately the size of a supermarket store and operates under a light vacuum, meaning it contains all odors. The entire process occurs within the building.
. The county stated that it hopes to not only avoid further landfill, but completely empty its existing landfill — 4300000 short tons (3,900,894.4 MT) of waste collected since 1978 — within 18 years. The plant was originally scheduled to come into operation in 2009, but experienced several setbacks. Backers originally announced that the facility would produce 600 short tons (544,310.8 kg) of solid rubble from around 3000 short tons (2,721,554.2 kg) of waste per day at 5500 °C, but uncertainties arose regarding the safety of such a facility. The public health and environmental threats from incinerators coupled with the uncertainty of the community's ability to produce such large quantities of waste on a consistent basis have led GeoPlasma to submit a new proposal for a much smaller facility that would convert 200 short tons (181.4 MT) of waste per day. Current plans are to begin building the $120 million facility in 2011.
market.
(approximately 45 minutes east of Toronto
) will handle 400 short tons (362.9 MT) per day of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) and Tire Derived Fuel (TDF). Sunbay Energy is currently obtaining the required approvals from Provincial authorities and intends to have the facility operational during the 4th Quarter of 2009.
) and plan to take all municipal garbage for the county to this facility. Residents have provided mixed support and the government has recently reduced the amount it was willing to pay for electricity from 12 cents per kilowatt hour to 8 cents. Construction is currently awaiting various environmental assessments, and government approvals but plans to be in operation by 2015.
has signed the largest plasma arc waste to energy contract (35 MW) to date with Green Power Systems to process 1000 short tons (907.2 MT) daily from the city and several surrounding counties. Completion of the project is scheduled for October 2010.
, South Wales
. This includes a plasma gasification plant combined with advanced anaerobic digestion
to divert municipal solid waste from the landfill. Enviroparks are currently collaborating with partner Europlasma of Bordeaux to provide the plasma gasification unit to the park.
As much as £60 million is being put into the project by EnviroParks Ltd and its partners, to establish organic waste and mixed waste treatment facilities next to the Tower Colliery at Hirwaun. The Hirwaun site itself is large enough for the processing of over 250000 metric tons (275,577.8 ST) of non-hazardous waste a year. Initially, though, an anaerobic digestion plant will be designed to handle 50000 metric tons (55,115.6 ST) of organic wastes a year.
, that will use a "plasma torch" to vaporize tires down to their natural elements — mainly hydrocarbons and scrap steel. The gases will be converted to electricity for sale to electric utilities and the scrap steel will be sold at an estimated $50 a ton.
in the Summer of 2009. This facility, the company's first commercial plant, is expected to be completed by the end of 2010.
Numerous municipal plasma arc gas plants (see above) are currently in development, including one for the city of Los Angeles
. Practical (limited use of land space for landfill
s), technological (large-scale use of technology versus small-scale, e.g. plasma arc is currently favored as a means to destroy medical
and hazardous waste
), logistical (transportation infrastructure requirements) and budgetary considerations can affect the viability of individual projects.
attack and to local variabilities in [high] temperatures, both of which would be found with typical municipal waste systems, and are not likely to last more than a year in service. One way to address this concern is by using the method demonstrated at the Trail Road Plant in Ottawa
, Canada
, which requires lower temperatures and a more robust material (fire brick
) for a liner instead of the expensive and fragile metal.
Waste treatment
Waste treatment refers to the activities required to ensure that waste has the least practicable impact on the environment. In many countries various forms of waste treatment are required by law.-Solid waste treatment:...
technology that uses electrical energy and the high temperatures created by an electric arc
Electric arc
An electric arc is an electrical breakdown of a gas which produces an ongoing plasma discharge, resulting from a current flowing through normally nonconductive media such as air. A synonym is arc discharge. An arc discharge is characterized by a lower voltage than a glow discharge, and relies on...
gasifier
Gasification
Gasification is a process that converts organic or fossil based carbonaceous materials into carbon monoxide, hydrogen, carbon dioxide and methane. This is achieved by reacting the material at high temperatures , without combustion, with a controlled amount of oxygen and/or steam...
. This arc breaks down waste primarily into elemental gas and solid waste (slag
Slag
Slag is a partially vitreous by-product of smelting ore to separate the metal fraction from the unwanted fraction. It can usually be considered to be a mixture of metal oxides and silicon dioxide. However, slags can contain metal sulfides and metal atoms in the elemental form...
), in a device called a plasma converter. The process has been intended to be a net generator
Electrical generator
In electricity generation, an electric generator is a device that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy. A generator forces electric charge to flow through an external electrical circuit. It is analogous to a water pump, which causes water to flow...
of electricity
Electricity
Electricity is a general term encompassing a variety of phenomena resulting from the presence and flow of electric charge. These include many easily recognizable phenomena, such as lightning, static electricity, and the flow of electrical current in an electrical wire...
, depending upon the composition of input wastes, and to reduce the volumes of waste being sent to landfill
Landfill
A landfill site , is a site for the disposal of waste materials by burial and is the oldest form of waste treatment...
sites.
Principle of operation
Relatively high voltage, high current electricity is passed between two electrodes, spaced apart, creating an electrical arc. Inert gas under pressure is passed through the arc into a sealed container of waste material, reaching temperatures as high as 25000 °F (13,871.1 °C) in the arc column. The temperature a few feet from the torch can be as high as 5000 –. At these temperatures, most types of waste are broken into basic elemental components in a gaseous form, and complex moleculesMolecule
A molecule is an electrically neutral group of at least two atoms held together by covalent chemical bonds. Molecules are distinguished from ions by their electrical charge...
are separated into individual atoms.
The reactor operates at a slightly negative pressure
Negative pressure
Negative pressure may refer to:*negative pressure as opposed to positive pressure*stretched liquid*vacuum*negative gauge pressure, a way of expressing pressure measurements below atmospheric pressure*suction*transpirational pull...
, meaning that the feed system is complemented by a gaseous removal system, and later a solid removal system. Depending on the input waste (plastic
Plastic
A plastic material is any of a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic solids used in the manufacture of industrial products. Plastics are typically polymers of high molecular mass, and may contain other substances to improve performance and/or reduce production costs...
s tend to be high in hydrogen
Hydrogen
Hydrogen is the chemical element with atomic number 1. It is represented by the symbol H. With an average atomic weight of , hydrogen is the lightest and most abundant chemical element, constituting roughly 75% of the Universe's chemical elemental mass. Stars in the main sequence are mainly...
and carbon
Carbon
Carbon is the chemical element with symbol C and atomic number 6. As a member of group 14 on the periodic table, it is nonmetallic and tetravalent—making four electrons available to form covalent chemical bonds...
), gas from the plasma containment can be removed as syngas
Syngas
Syngas is the name given to a gas mixture that contains varying amounts of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. Examples of production methods include steam reforming of natural gas or liquid hydrocarbons to produce hydrogen, the gasification of coal, biomass, and in some types of waste-to-energy...
, and may be refined into various fuels at a later stage or fired on site to provide power.
Syngas
Syngas
Syngas is the name given to a gas mixture that contains varying amounts of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. Examples of production methods include steam reforming of natural gas or liquid hydrocarbons to produce hydrogen, the gasification of coal, biomass, and in some types of waste-to-energy...
is produced exclusively from organic materials with a conversion rate of greater than 99% using plasma gasification. Other inorganic materials in the waste stream that are not broken down but only go through a phase change (solid to liquid) add to the volume of slag with minimal energy recovery and increased cost for refining. For efficient operation of the plant, a portion of the syngas
Syngas
Syngas is the name given to a gas mixture that contains varying amounts of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. Examples of production methods include steam reforming of natural gas or liquid hydrocarbons to produce hydrogen, the gasification of coal, biomass, and in some types of waste-to-energy...
may be used to run on site turbines to power the plasma torches and feed system.
The latest independent review of plasma technology providers was undertaken by Juniper Consulting in 2008, as well as a separate independent review on Alter NRG /Westinghouse technology.
National Cheng Kung University - Tainan City, Taiwan (PEAT International)
PEAT International constructed a plasma arc waste disposal facility at National Cheng Kung UniversityNational Cheng Kung University
National Cheng Kung University is a national university in Tainan City, Taiwan. Its abbreviation is NCKU. In Chinese, its name is shortened to 成大...
(NCKU) in Tainan City, Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
, which uses its proprietary Plasma Thermal Destruction Recovery method. The facility is able to handle 3–5 MT (3.3–5.5 ST) of waste per day from a variety of waste streams, including incinerator fly ash
Fly ash
Fly ash is one of the residues generated in combustion, and comprises the fine particles that rise with the flue gases. Ash which does not rise is termed bottom ash. In an industrial context, fly ash usually refers to ash produced during combustion of coal...
, medical waste
Medical waste
Medical waste, also known as clinical waste, normally refers to waste products that cannot be considered general waste, produced from healthcare premises, such as hospitals, clinics, doctors offices, veterinary hospitals and labs.-Europe:...
, organic industrial process waste and inorganic sludges. It can also process waste consumer batteries
Battery (electricity)
An electrical battery is one or more electrochemical cells that convert stored chemical energy into electrical energy. Since the invention of the first battery in 1800 by Alessandro Volta and especially since the technically improved Daniell cell in 1836, batteries have become a common power...
and other materials, including heavy metal sludges, and refinery catalysts (waste streams that would generate valuable metal alloy
Alloy
An alloy is a mixture or metallic solid solution composed of two or more elements. Complete solid solution alloys give single solid phase microstructure, while partial solutions give two or more phases that may or may not be homogeneous in distribution, depending on thermal history...
s). The facility was constructed as part of a comprehensive resource recovery facility funded by the Taiwanese government
Government of the Republic of China
The Republic of China was formally established by Dr. Sun Yat-sen in 1912 in Nanjing under the Provisional Constitution of the Republic of China but this government was moved to Beijing in the same year and continued as the internationally recognized government of China until 1928. In the history...
, marking the first time the Government of Taiwan committed financial and technical resources to the utilization of plasma technology. It was commissioned in November 2004 and received its operating permit in January, 2005. PEAT has been an active participant in the operations and maintenance of the facility on behalf of NCKU for its research purposes.
Yoshii, Utashinai, and Mihama-Mikata, Japan (Hitachi Metals Ltd.)
Three similar small plants are in operation in JapanJapan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
— a 166 short tons (150,592.7 kg) per day "pilot" plant in Yoshii
Yoshii, Gunma
was a town located in Tano District, Gunma, Japan.As of September 1, 2007, the town had an estimated population of 24,758 and a density of 424.30 persons per km². The total area was 58.35 km².-Geography:...
, co-developed by Hitachi Metals Ltd. and Westinghouse Plasma, which was certified after a demonstration period in 1999–2000; a 165 short tons (149,685.5 kg) per day plant in Utashinai City
Utashinai, Hokkaido
is a city located in Sorachi Subprefecture, Hokkaidō, Japan. It is Japan's smallest city by population. It was formerly a prosperous coal mining city, but has declined greatly since the closing of the coal mines...
, completed in 2002; and a 28 short tons (25,401.2 kg) per day plant commissioned by the twin cities of Mihama
Mihama, Fukui
is a town located in Mikata District, Fukui, Japan.As of 2003, the town has an estimated population of 11,148 and a density of 73.19 persons per km²...
and Mikata
Mikata, Fukui
was a town located in Mikata District, Fukui, Japan.As of 2003, the town had an estimated population of 9,026 and a density of 93.47 persons per km². The total area was 96.57 km²....
in 2002.
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (Plasco Energy Group Inc.)
A new and different type of plasma arc waste conversion that uses plasma to refine gases produced during waste conversion, rather than to destroy waste by brute force as do other plasma systems, has yet to show itself to be successful on a full commercial scale. Plasco Energy Group completed a plasma-arc waste demonstration plant in Ottawa, CanadaCanada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
at the Trail Road Landfill, to process 85 metric tons (93.7 ST) per day of municipal solid waste
Municipal solid waste
Municipal solid waste , commonly known as trash or garbage , refuse or rubbish is a waste type consisting of everyday items we consume and discard. It predominantly includes food wastes, yard wastes, containers and product packaging, and other miscellaneous inorganic wastes from residential,...
. Unlike other plasma waste processing facilities, Plasco Energy Group's process does not use plasma to destroy waste, but rather to refine gases produced during waste conversion, in order to allow them to be used to run an internal combustion gas engine. On 24 October 2007, the Plasco Trail Road facility began delivering power to the grid.
The Plasco conversion system, which uses plasma to refine gases rather than expose them to extremely high temperatures, and whose liner is composed of refractory brick
Fire brick
A fire brick, firebrick, or refractory brick is a block of refractory ceramic material used in lining furnaces, kilns, fireboxes, and fireplaces. A refractory brick is built primarily to withstand high temperature, but will also usually have a low thermal conductivity for greater energy efficiency...
rather than metal, is not susceptible to premature attack of vessel liners. Plasco's internal studies claim that its emissions are also much lower than any other thermal waste processing system. By converting waste to and water, rather than to methane
Methane
Methane is a chemical compound with the chemical formula . It is the simplest alkane, the principal component of natural gas, and probably the most abundant organic compound on earth. The relative abundance of methane makes it an attractive fuel...
, the greenhouse gas
Greenhouse gas
A greenhouse gas is a gas in an atmosphere that absorbs and emits radiation within the thermal infrared range. This process is the fundamental cause of the greenhouse effect. The primary greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone...
emissions of the process might be much less than competing technologies such as landfills. Plasco Energy is proposing a scaled up residual waste plasma gasification facility for Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
In an update to local area residents on 6 December 2008, Plasco president Rod Bryden
Rod Bryden
Rod Bryden is a prominent Ottawa business executive. He is best known as the owner of the Ottawa Senators National Hockey League team from 1992 until 2003. Outside of hockey, his career has included founding or leading several of Canada's leading companies.- Biography :Rod Bryden was born on March...
said delays at its facility were caused by malfunctioning machinery, not problems with the waste-to-energy technology.
In 2011, Plasco is seeking a commercial license for a permanent operation in the Ottawa area, claiming success for its three-year pilot project. The government is conducting public hearings. The pilot plant was said to produce about 1 MWh of electricity from each tonne of waste.
Swindon, Wiltshire, England, UK, (Advanced Plasma Power)
The heart of this technology, the Gasplasma process, forms the basis of APP’s Swindon Plant, the first Gasplasma facility in the world. Gasplasma is the sequential use of gasification, plasma gas treatment, syngas polishing and gas engine power generation.A full scale plant will treat 100000 short tons (90,718.5 MT) per annum of municipal waste and produce:
- Enough power for 10,000 homes
- Enough heat for around 700 homes
- over 99% landfill diversion of feedstock with minimal residues and emissions
- Increase recycling rates by over 20%
- High performance, high-value aggregate glass (trademark Plasmarok)
- Novel combination of three existing and proven technologies (termed Gasplasma)
- Negative carbon footprint and lowest environmental impact plant and building
A full scale plant will be 150 metres (492.1 ft) long, 50 metres (164 ft) wide, and along most of its length only 11 metres (36.1 ft) high. Above the thermal plant, the roof height is about 14 metres (45.9 ft), and the single exhaust for the engines 10 metres (32.8 ft) higher, at only 34 metres (111.5 ft). The building is approximately the size of a supermarket store and operates under a light vacuum, meaning it contains all odors. The entire process occurs within the building.
Hurlburt Field, Florida, USA (PyroGenesis Canada Inc.)
On April 26, 2011, the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the official opening of its Transportable Plasma Waste to Energy System (TPWES) facility, located at Hurlburt Field, near Fort Walton Beach Florida, USA. The facility was designed, constructed and commissioned by Montreal-based PyroGenesis Canada Inc., and the unit deployed at the facility is based on the company’s Plasma Resource Recovery System (PRRS) technology. The plant is designed to process 10.5 metric tons per day of municipal solid waste, as well as hazardous and biomedical waste. The syngas generated by the process is fed to an internal combustion engine to produce electricity, while the inorganic fraction of the waste feed is converted into an inert, vitrified slag which can be used for building materials. The system is designed to be energy neutral and transportable to allow the Air Force the flexibility to potentially deploy it other bases around the world, including forward operating bases.Energy Park Peterborough, England, UK (Tetronics)
Energy Park Peterborough - the UK’s First Green Energy Park, which is being managed by Peterborough Renewable Energy was granted consent by the Government Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) in November 2009. It will take in mixed waste and – through a combination of recycling, gasification and plasma-enhanced waste recovery – recycle and remanufacture it, producing reusable products and renewable energy in the process. Energy Park Peterborough alone will save 600,000 tonnes of CO2 per year, create over 100 green collar jobs in the local community and produce enough renewable energy to power 60,000 homes. Tetronics will Supply Plasma Hazardous Waste Treatment Technology. The technology will turn the Air Pollution Control (APC) residue generated from the Biomass Power Plant into bricks and tiles for the building industry, thereby; ensuring close to zero residues to be landfilled.St. Lucie County, Florida, USA (GeoPlasma)
The first plasma-based waste disposal system in the USA was announced in 2006 in St. Lucie County, FloridaSt. Lucie County, Florida
St. Lucie County is a county located in the state of Florida. The county seat is the city of Fort Pierce. In the year 2000, the population was 192,695. As of the year 2010, the United States Census Bureau sets the population at 277,789.- History :...
. The county stated that it hopes to not only avoid further landfill, but completely empty its existing landfill — 4300000 short tons (3,900,894.4 MT) of waste collected since 1978 — within 18 years. The plant was originally scheduled to come into operation in 2009, but experienced several setbacks. Backers originally announced that the facility would produce 600 short tons (544,310.8 kg) of solid rubble from around 3000 short tons (2,721,554.2 kg) of waste per day at 5500 °C, but uncertainties arose regarding the safety of such a facility. The public health and environmental threats from incinerators coupled with the uncertainty of the community's ability to produce such large quantities of waste on a consistent basis have led GeoPlasma to submit a new proposal for a much smaller facility that would convert 200 short tons (181.4 MT) of waste per day. Current plans are to begin building the $120 million facility in 2011.
Vero Beach, Florida, USA (INESO Bio)
INEOS Bio and New Planet Energy Florida are partnering to build a plant which will make about 8 million gallon of ethanol and 6 megawatts of electricity per year from the plasma arc waste disposal facility. The plant will use vegetative, yard, and municipal solid waste. More information on this project can be found at www.ineosbio.com. The project is targeted for completion and start-up in mid-2012. Utilizing a unique combination of gasification and fermentation processes, the facility will produce a synthesis gas that is cooled and cleaned before being fed to naturally occurring bacteria. These patented bacteria convert the synthesis gas into ethanol, which is purified for use as fuel in the transportationmarket.
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (Plasco Energy Group Inc.)
A proposed Plasma arc gasifier has been planned for the Metro Vancouver area. However residents of the area have protested. Metro Vancouver is currently conducting an RFP process to determine a long-term solution for waste management. Plasco is not proposing that Metro Vancouver discontinue the RFP process, but rather to establish an interim solution that can quickly address the shortfall in landfill capacity, while also providing a facility that will allow Metro Vancouver to closely scrutinize and evaluate this new technology as part of its long-term decision making process.Port Hope, Ontario, Canada (Sunbay Energy Corporation)
Utilizing technology licensed from Europlasma, the plasma arc facility proposed for lands in the vicinity of Wesleyville in Port Hope, OntarioPort Hope, Ontario
Port Hope is a municipality in Southern Ontario, Canada, about east of Toronto and about west of Kingston. It is located at the mouth of the Ganaraska River on the north shore of Lake Ontario, in the west end of Northumberland County...
(approximately 45 minutes east of Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
) will handle 400 short tons (362.9 MT) per day of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) and Tire Derived Fuel (TDF). Sunbay Energy is currently obtaining the required approvals from Provincial authorities and intends to have the facility operational during the 4th Quarter of 2009.
East Luther / Grand Valley, Ontario, Canada (Navitus Plasma Inc)
Navitus Plasma Inc. have proposed the installation of a system named "DEEP" "Dufferin Eco Energy Park" within East Luther Grand Valley located in the County of Dufferin (approximately 45 minutes north of TorontoToronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
) and plan to take all municipal garbage for the county to this facility. Residents have provided mixed support and the government has recently reduced the amount it was willing to pay for electricity from 12 cents per kilowatt hour to 8 cents. Construction is currently awaiting various environmental assessments, and government approvals but plans to be in operation by 2015.
Tallahassee, Florida, USA (Green Power Systems)
The city of Tallahassee, FloridaTallahassee, Florida
Tallahassee is the capital of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat and only incorporated municipality in Leon County, and is the 128th largest city in the United States. Tallahassee became the capital of Florida, then the Florida Territory, in 1824. In 2010, the population recorded by...
has signed the largest plasma arc waste to energy contract (35 MW) to date with Green Power Systems to process 1000 short tons (907.2 MT) daily from the city and several surrounding counties. Completion of the project is scheduled for October 2010.
Hirwaun, Wales, UK (EnviroParks Limited)
EnviroParks Limited plan (31/9/07) a consortium to build an Organic Park in Tower Colliery at HirwaunHirwaun
Hirwaun is the name of a village at the northwest end of the Cynon Valley in the County Borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf, South Wales. The village of Hirwaun is from the town of Aberdare, and comes under Aberdare for postal reasons...
, South Wales
South Wales
South Wales is an area of Wales bordered by England and the Bristol Channel to the east and south, and Mid Wales and West Wales to the north and west. The most densely populated region in the south-west of the United Kingdom, it is home to around 2.1 million people and includes the capital city of...
. This includes a plasma gasification plant combined with advanced anaerobic digestion
Anaerobic digestion
Anaerobic digestion is a series of processes in which microorganisms break down biodegradable material in the absence of oxygen. It is used for industrial or domestic purposes to manage waste and/or to release energy....
to divert municipal solid waste from the landfill. Enviroparks are currently collaborating with partner Europlasma of Bordeaux to provide the plasma gasification unit to the park.
As much as £60 million is being put into the project by EnviroParks Ltd and its partners, to establish organic waste and mixed waste treatment facilities next to the Tower Colliery at Hirwaun. The Hirwaun site itself is large enough for the processing of over 250000 metric tons (275,577.8 ST) of non-hazardous waste a year. Initially, though, an anaerobic digestion plant will be designed to handle 50000 metric tons (55,115.6 ST) of organic wastes a year.
Jackson, Georgia, USA (PR Power Company)
PR Power Co. plans to open a plant south of Atlanta, near Jackson, GeorgiaJackson, Georgia
Jackson is a city in Butts County, Georgia, United States. The population was 3,934 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Butts County. The center of population of Georgia is located in Jackson. The community was named after President Andrew Jackson. Founded in 1826, Jackson began as...
, that will use a "plasma torch" to vaporize tires down to their natural elements — mainly hydrocarbons and scrap steel. The gases will be converted to electricity for sale to electric utilities and the scrap steel will be sold at an estimated $50 a ton.
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada (Plasco Energy Group Inc.)
Plasco is preparing to start construction on a commercial-scale facility in Red Deer, AlbertaRed Deer, Alberta
Red Deer is a city in Central Alberta, Canada. It is located near the midpoint of the Calgary-Edmonton Corridor and is surrounded by Red Deer County. It is Alberta's third-most-populous city – after Calgary and Edmonton. The city is located in aspen parkland, a region of rolling hills...
in the Summer of 2009. This facility, the company's first commercial plant, is expected to be completed by the end of 2010.
Pune, Maharashtra, India (Maharashtra Enviro Power Limited)
SMS Infrastructures Limited (SMSIL), Central India’s largest civil engineering and infrastructure development company, constructed 68 tonne-per-day hazardous waste-to-energy plants, located in Pune, India, that will use Westinghouse Plasma Corporation’s (WPC) plasma technology and reactor vessel design. Each plant will provide comprehensive disposal services for a wide variety of hazardous waste, and will produce up to 1.6 MW (net) of electricity- The facilities will be the largest plasma gasification WTE plants in the world processing hazardous waste.
Beijing, China (Plasco Energy Group Inc.)
Plasco announced in April 2010 that it is planning a joint venture with Beijing Environmental Sanitation Engineering Group Co. to construct a 200 tonne per day demonstration facility in Beijing. If successful, it is intended to construct a larger 1,000 tonne per day facility to help dispose of the city's 18,000 tonnes of municipal waste generated per day.USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) Supercarrier – US Navy (PyroGenesis Canada Inc.)
In 2008, Northrop Grumman Newport News (now known as Huntington Ingalls - Newport News Shipbuilding), issued a contract to PyroGenesis Canada Inc. for the supply of a Plasma Arc Waste Destruction System (PAWDS) to be installed on board the Navy’s next generation aircraft carrier. This compact system will treat all combustible solid waste generated onboard the ship. After having completed factory acceptance testing in Montreal, the system is scheduled to be installed onboard the new ship in late 2011. Designs of PAWDS for commercial cruise lines also include the possibility of energy recovery and sludge oil processing.Concerns
No municipal-scale waste disposal plasma arc facilities have as yet been constructed, so considerable technological and budgetary uncertainties remain.Numerous municipal plasma arc gas plants (see above) are currently in development, including one for the city of Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. Practical (limited use of land space for landfill
Landfill
A landfill site , is a site for the disposal of waste materials by burial and is the oldest form of waste treatment...
s), technological (large-scale use of technology versus small-scale, e.g. plasma arc is currently favored as a means to destroy medical
Medical waste
Medical waste, also known as clinical waste, normally refers to waste products that cannot be considered general waste, produced from healthcare premises, such as hospitals, clinics, doctors offices, veterinary hospitals and labs.-Europe:...
and hazardous waste
Hazardous waste
A hazardous waste is waste that poses substantial or potential threats to public health or the environment. According to the U.S. environmental laws hazardous wastes fall into two major categories: characteristic wastes and listed wastes.Characteristic hazardous wastes are materials that are known...
), logistical (transportation infrastructure requirements) and budgetary considerations can affect the viability of individual projects.
Liners
An issue regarding plasma systems that rely on high temperatures for processing is in the life of their liners. The liner is an important aspect of separating the high interior temperatures of the plasma system from the [metal] shell of the plasma container. Liners are highly susceptible to both chlorineChlorine
Chlorine is the chemical element with atomic number 17 and symbol Cl. It is the second lightest halogen, found in the periodic table in group 17. The element forms diatomic molecules under standard conditions, called dichlorine...
attack and to local variabilities in [high] temperatures, both of which would be found with typical municipal waste systems, and are not likely to last more than a year in service. One way to address this concern is by using the method demonstrated at the Trail Road Plant in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, which requires lower temperatures and a more robust material (fire brick
Fire brick
A fire brick, firebrick, or refractory brick is a block of refractory ceramic material used in lining furnaces, kilns, fireboxes, and fireplaces. A refractory brick is built primarily to withstand high temperature, but will also usually have a low thermal conductivity for greater energy efficiency...
) for a liner instead of the expensive and fragile metal.
Waste stream consistency
The content and the consistency of the waste has a direct impact on performance of a plasma facility. Pre-sorting and recycling useful material before gasification provides a more consistent waste stream. A waste stream that is high in inorganic (metals and construction waste) materials increase slag production and decrease the more valuable syngas production. Secondly, shredding the waste before entering the main chamber creates an efficient transfer of energy ensuring all materials are broken down.See also
- Electric arcElectric arcAn electric arc is an electrical breakdown of a gas which produces an ongoing plasma discharge, resulting from a current flowing through normally nonconductive media such as air. A synonym is arc discharge. An arc discharge is characterized by a lower voltage than a glow discharge, and relies on...
- List of plasma (physics) applications articles
- Plasma (physics)Plasma (physics)In physics and chemistry, plasma is a state of matter similar to gas in which a certain portion of the particles are ionized. Heating a gas may ionize its molecules or atoms , thus turning it into a plasma, which contains charged particles: positive ions and negative electrons or ions...
- Staged reformingStaged reformingStaged reforming is a thermochemical process to convert organic material or bio waste such as wood, dung or hay into combustible gases containing methane, carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The single-stage reforming of bio materials results in high dust and tar yields in the produced gas restricting...
- Waste managementWaste managementWaste management is the collection, transport, processing or disposal,managing and monitoring of waste materials. The term usually relates to materials produced by human activity, and the process is generally undertaken to reduce their effect on health, the environment or aesthetics...
- Waste to energy