credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain” width=”800″ height=”530″/>
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain
The Role of Waste Incineration in Modern Waste Management
The incineration of solid waste serves as a crucial method in the management of refuse, significantly diminishing the volume of non-recyclable material while simultaneously generating energy. Despite its benefits, this process emits carbon dioxide, consequently contributing to technology-find-out-why/” title=”Unexpected Comparison: One Rings of Power Star Draws Parallels Between The Rings and 'Nuclear Technology' – Find Out Why!”>greenhouse gas emissions and exacerbating climate issues.
Reducing Carbon Emissions from Incineration Processes
To tackle the challenge of carbon dioxide emissions associated with waste burning facilities, calcium oxide can be leveraged to capture these gases effectively. This technique is referred to as calcium looping.
In this innovative approach, when calcium oxide is subjected to heat—approximately 650 degrees Celsius—it reacts with carbon dioxide to create calcium carbonate. This reaction is reversible; raising the temperature to around 900 degrees Celsius allows for the release of carbon dioxide from the carbonate compound. The liberated carbon dioxide can then be refined for additional applications.
Understanding Economic Feasibility Through Research
Nevertheless, implementing calcium looping requires considerable energy and investment. To assess its practicality within waste incinerators, a research team led by Assoc Prof Grzegorz Lisak from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) developed an intricate model that factors in various dynamics influencing this technology.
The findings are shared in their article published in the Chemical Engineering Journal. The researchers concluded that utilizing fuels derived from recovered waste for heating proved to be highly cost-effective. Additionally, employing materials such as ash from municipal solid waste incineration further enhances economic efficiency within this technological framework.
Economic Incentives Supporting Technology Adoption
The viability of calcium looping also benefits from financial mechanisms like carbon credits and taxation schemes aimed at promoting negative emissions technologies.
Further Insights
A comprehensive techno-economic evaluation entitled “A techno-economic assessment of the reutilisation of municipal solid waste incineration ash for CO2 capture from incineration flue gases by calcium looping,” has been elaborated by Lek Hong Lim et al., detailing their findings in depth (Chemical Engineering Journal, 2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2023.142567.
Source:
Nanyang Technological University
Citation:
Researchers develop new model for eco-friendlier waste incineration processes (2024). Retrieved December 12, 2024,
from techxplore.com
This document is copyrighted material; reproduction without permission is prohibited except under fair use guidelines pertaining exclusively to private study or research purposes.
