Transcript Slide 1
Energy from Waste • Mass burn technologies operating at extremely high temperatures • Initially - no filtration for hazardous air emissions • No federal or state regulations • Now advanced technology such as the bag filtration and monitoring systems • More stringent EPA standards Based in part on: Waste to Energy Plants Outweighing the Negative Léokham O’Connor Florida Gulf Coast University • Waste Energy plants - a multi-purpose energy solution for municipal solid waste • Better alternative than landfills The U.S. burns 14 percent of its trash in waste-to-energy plants. Denmark, burns 54 percent. • • • • • • U.S. - 5% of the world’s population U.S. - 30% of the world’s garbage 63,000 garbage trucks daily 90,000 lbs of waste individual lifetime Less than 2% is recycled Every year • • • • 3.5 billion lbs of carpet 3.3 trillion lbs of CO2 gas 19 billion lbs polystyrene foam peanuts 28 billion lbs of food Waste Incinerators • 1865 - The first waste incinerator was built in Michigan • 1874 - The “Destructor” was Britain’s attempt to burn waste to produce energy • 1905 - New York uses waste incinerator to create electricity and light the Williamsburg Bridge • 1930’s – Incinerators too expensive, making waste dumps a more viable option Federal Regulations • 1970 - Clean Air Act regulates emissions • 1976 - Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) • Control of hazardous waste generation, transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal • 1986 – Solid Waste Disposal Act (SWDA) • Strict guidelines for municipalities; landfill design • 1990 - Emissions defined - MACT standards (maximum allowable emissions) 2005 EPA Regulations • 2005 - The EPA amends national emissions standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP) for hazardous waste combustors under section 112 of the Clean Air Act. • more stringent requirements for the bag leak detection, air pollutants and other material residue from incinerators (EPA, 2009). Stimulus Bill 2008 • The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 takes effect. • Legislation extends tax credits for landfill gas and trash combustion facilities. • It also provides new tax credits for those who purchase capital investment bonds in renewable energy facilities. Technology Operating WTE Plants in the U.S. • States with Waste-to-Energy plants Have Higher Recycling Rates Environmental Concerns • Dioxin a major concern – Toxic chemical that can cause immune and nervous system damage. – By-product of manufacture, molding, or burning of Cl-containing organic materials – Toxicity is comparable to radioactive waste – Temperatures over 1800 F destroy dioxins (Frederick County Government, 2008). Emissions Air Emissions of Waste-To-Energy and Fossil Fuel Power Plants (Pounds per Megawatt Hour) Facility Type Carbon Dioxide Sulfur Dioxide Nitrogen Oxides Coal 2,249 13 6 Oil 1,672 12 4 Natural Gas 1,135 0.1 1.7 Waste-ToEnergy 837* 0.8 5.4 (includes ‘avoided emissions’) Cons • Release of Dioxins • Waste Energy < 1 % Total • NOx and Sox emissions • Metal vapor (mercury) emissions • Perceived reduction in recycling • Odors, pest attraction Pros • • • • Create revenue Reduce landfill impacts; hauling distances Constant supply of resources (Trash) 26 States legally define Waste to Energy as a renewable resource • Ash can be recycled (construction) • 1500 tons of trash/day produces about electricity to power around 40,000 homes • ideal co-generation system Covanta/OCRRA Facility – Onondaga County Landfill methane recovery Madison County, NY