Renewable Energy
Energy from Waste: A review of the potential to produce biofuels from landfill waste Sneha Bhandari, Ariel Kangasniemi, Krupa Mistry, Rheanne Ritchie, and Courtney Sieben
Abstract In recent decades, there has been an increased need to produce sufficient renewable energy to support global population growth. In response, it has become crucial to find socially responsible sustainable energy resources that offer energy security, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and do not compromise biodiversity or sustainability of existing resources. Despite efforts to reduce the amount of waste produced, a continually growing population limits the space available in landfills. Municipal and industrial waste biomass is often rich in organic matter, allowing for the creation and use of biofuels as an energy source. This organic matter can be used to synthesize ethanol, methanol, and biodiesel through the conversion of inorganic compounds into energy-producing organic carbon compounds. Moreover, unlike fossil fuels, which take millions of years to form, these organic carbon compounds are formed relatively quickly. Biofuel production from waste is beneficial as it allows for better management of landfill sites, and energy production from materials which typically cannot be recycled or composted. Most importantly, it allows for the reduction of significant amounts of methane produced from landfill gas emissions. In Canada, municipal and industrial waste disposal is a considerable problem. Alberta is emerging as a major player in second-generation biofuel production from waste. Edmonton and Calgary municipal landfills employ technology to capture biogas and convert waste to useable biofuel. At an Edmonton landfill site, the waste to biofuel project aims to divert 30% of household waste to produce 38 million litres of viable biofuels annually for use in transport and energy. Led by Enerkem, this project will
Abstract In recent decades, there has been an increased need to produce sufficient renewable energy to support global population growth. In response, it has become crucial to find socially responsible sustainable energy resources that offer energy security, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and do not compromise biodiversity or sustainability of existing resources. Despite efforts to reduce the amount of waste produced, a continually growing population limits the space available in landfills. Municipal and industrial waste biomass is often rich in organic matter, allowing for the creation and use of biofuels as an energy source. This organic matter can be used to synthesize ethanol, methanol, and biodiesel through the conversion of inorganic compounds into energy-producing organic carbon compounds. Moreover, unlike fossil fuels, which take millions of years to form, these organic carbon compounds are formed relatively quickly. Biofuel production from waste is beneficial as it allows for better management of landfill sites, and energy production from materials which typically cannot be recycled or composted. Most importantly, it allows for the reduction of significant amounts of methane produced from landfill gas emissions. In Canada, municipal and industrial waste disposal is a considerable problem. Alberta is emerging as a major player in second-generation biofuel production from waste. Edmonton and Calgary municipal landfills employ technology to capture biogas and convert waste to useable biofuel. At an Edmonton landfill site, the waste to biofuel project aims to divert 30% of household waste to produce 38 million litres of viable biofuels annually for use in transport and energy. Led by Enerkem, this project will
References: Bellomare, F. and Rokni, M. (2013) Integration of a municipal solid waste gasification plant with solid oxide fuel cell and gas turbine. Renewable Energy. 55. 490 - 500. Biofuels (2010) City of Edmonton (2013) FullCycle -Green by Nature (2009) Gasification Technologies Council. (2013) Gasification: An Investment in Our Energy Future. Retrieved from http://gasification.org/uploads/downloads/Final_whitepaper.pdf.