Zero Waste Solutions: Conversion Technologies Shapoor Hamid, PhD URS Corporation November 19, 2008

2. PresentationOverview

3. The Basic Conversion Process Consists of Three Systems

4. Thermal Conversion Technologies Can treat both organic and carbon-based (plastic) materials using higher temperatures (>750° F). Typically more efficient to generate electricity and has a lower volume of residual byproducts than biological technologies. In other countries, these residuals are reused that makes the system virtually zero waste

5. Types of Thermal Conversion Technologies

6. Gasification Thermal conversion of organic materials at 1,400-2,500°F, and with a limited supply of oxygen, producing a syngas The syngas (primarily H2 and CO) can be used as a fuel to produce electricity Inorganic materials are converted to bottom ash or slag

8. Kawaguchi Gasification 400 tpd Facility (Japan)

9. Pyrolysis Thermal degradation of organic materials using an indirect, external source of heat, at 750-1,650°F, in the absence or almost complete absence of free oxygen, producing syngas or liquid fuel The syngas (primarily H2 and CO) or liquid fuel can be used to produce electricity Byproducts are carbon char, silica, metals, and inorganic materials

11. MSW Pyrolysis FacilityBurgau (Germany)

12. Pyrolysis/Gasification Thermal degradation of organic materials using Pyrolysis to produce syngas and carbon char as solid byproduct The byproduct (carbon char) is going through gasification process to produce additional syngas

13. Pyrolysis/Gasification 330 tpdThermoselect Facility in Chiba, Japan

14. Plasma Gasification

15. BiologicalConversion Technologies

16. Anaerobic Digestion Microbes convert MSW into useful products: Compost – a useful soil amendment Biogas – a clean, renewable fuel Requires careful MSW prescreening to ensure a clean compost

17. Valorga 140 tpd Facility In Freiburg, Germany

18. MSW to Fuel Ethanol Step 1: cellulosic wastes like waste paper can be hydrolyzed to sugar Step 2: this sugar can then be fermented into dilute ethanol Step 3: finally, the dilute ethanol can be distilled and processed into fuel ethanol

19. Some Other Conversion Technologies Syngas-Ethanol: gasify waste, ferment synthesis gas to ethanol, distill to fuel grade, sell electricity and ethanol; pilot stage Biodiesel: process fatty waste into a diesel-like fuel

20. Conversion Technologies Commercialization Status

21. EnvironmentalIssues

22. Energy Production100,000 tpy MSW Processed

23. Key Cost & RevenueVariables

24. Benefits of Conversion Technologies Reduced Carbon (Greenhouse Gas) Emissions Increased Recycling Lower Air Emissions Offsets Fossil Fuels Beneficial Use of Residuals Renewable Energy Environmental Sustainability

25. Challenges ToImplementation Lack of Technology Understanding Air Emissions Variation in Designs Lack of Regulatory Clarity Funding/Financing Hurdles No Operating CT Facilities in the U.S. Processing MSW