Generating Electricity from Garbage - Assignment Example

Hi Angela, Your rough draft is off to a good start, but you still have room for improvement for your paper. I have gone through your paper and left comments for you to address. Some things to would improve your paper is: (1) Make sure your introduction and conclusion has all your major points and that these points are addressed in the body paragraphs in your paper. (2) Please provide in-text citations whenever you state a fact or idea that is not your original (3) Keep information concise. Deliver information and back it up. Try to avoid repeating ideas or including too much filler. Include more of your conclusions and analysis of topic instead of just facts. You also could use more environmental information related to waste to energy, afterall this is an Environmental Science class. (4) Be sure to stay on topic with your research. You strayed away from your main point a couple times in your paper. (5) Work on grammar and syntax. Make sure that the subjects of your sentences are clear. Also be sure to clarify if you are talking in past, present or future tense. Read the paper aloud to catch mistakes. Have a friend read it for clarity. Take your paper to the writing resource center in Odegaard library for even more help in editing. If you have any questions on your paper and when you turn it in please include the TA name "Lynn" in your e-mail as I will be grading your final paper after your edits. ESRM 100 Winter 2015 Name: Jiapei Tan Student ID: 1333163 Change waste to energy, generating electricity from garbage and pollution in United States The changing lifestyle of modern consumers has influenced their consumption habits. A huge amount of waste is generated throughout the world, which have caused major problems in maintenance of environmental balance. Converting waste products into energy is a very innovative process in electricity and heat generations. This is a process of energy recovery. Conversion of waste to energy includes the burning of residential, commercial and hazardous waste including plastics, paper, food scraps and metals. Renewable energy has a significant role as an alternative source of fossil fuel in the United States. Combustion of organic waste recovers huge amount of energy. Strict emission standards are being followed in the case of production of energy from industrial and commercial wastes. In the US, the process of converting waste to energy began in first phase of 20th century. This was influenced by the production of steam from waste. In the present time, the United States has around 87 number of waste to energy plants, which generate nearly about 0.4% of total US power. The country is developing and improving its waste to energy conversion process for environmental benefit and in order to reduce waste found in nature. The main drivers of waste to energy conversion are high tipping fees imposed by landfills in US for receiving large quantities of waste. High gate fees make energy generation and recovery very economical. It influences to prohibit landfill cost. Waste to energy conversion is an effective alternative for disposing waste. The waste products like paper, wood, cardboard, cloth etc. which are of biological origin produce renewable energy. Availability of huge amount of waste material influences this process of generating energy from waste or garbage. But this process also has a negative effect on environment. A huge amount of CO2 is generated from which has contributed heavily to global warming in the recent times. Moreover it produces a huge amount of heat which has created a negative impact on the climate. This research paper describes the process of utilizing waste and garbage in an effective way by United States for generating energy. The main research question analyzed in this paper is “how waste and garbage are converted into energy or electricity in United States and what are their associated advantages”. This paper critically analyzes the various methods of waste disposals and the process of electricity generation from waste. It further discusses the environmental impact and the different types of pollution that could arise from the process of converting waste to energy. According to the author George Tchobanoglous and Frank Kreith the modern world is facing a serious of problems while trying to deal with the increasing amount of waste which has been the result of rapid industrialization and globalization (Tchobanoglous and Kreith 67-71). To deal with this problem some cities have found out solutions to convert the garbage or waste into energy. United State is one of the countries to have begun this initiative. Through proper planning, management and design, the US has taken appropriate steps to implement the process. Waste to energy conversion has helped the country to improve its environment through the right utilization of its waste products. In their article Tchobanoglous and Kreith have made a mention about the various policies and strategies undertaken by the US to run the process (Tchobanoglous and Kreith 67-71). According to authors Marc J. Rogoff and Francois Screve conversion of waste to energy is a powerful tool for preventing climate change by reducing greenhouse gas formation. This process requires the use of the right technology by which a meaningful contribution in safe guarding environment from damages could be carried out. The processes involved are very complex and is usually undertaken by different communities. It is an alternative solution to manage disposed waste products in an effective way. Despite several problems faced by the US at the onset to manage and implement the processes, the increasing landfills in many states lead to the successful generation of energy from waste products with the help of the local government and financial assistance from the community at large (Rogoff and Screve 58-60). Studies conducted by Timothy Searchinger and a few other authors reveal that the conversion of waste to energy plants in the US combust around 29million tons of Material Solid Waste (MSW). However, medical waste from hospitals and recycled items are not included in MSW for electricity generation and yard waste and paper play a vital role in the energy generation process. The power plants used for the conversion process are controlled and regulated by state laws and this has been instituted as a means to protect environment and human health. Power generating technology creates a huge impact on environment. The main purpose of this process apart from recycling wastes is to cleanse the water, air and land for better human consumption. In the U.S, the process of converting waste to energy is conducted under two main designs. The most common waste to energy technology is Mass Burn. Here MSW is burned in using the same technology as for fossil fuels. Another design is refuse derived fuel. This is a pre combustion process which involves separation of metallic compounds and shedding of MSW from different waste items. Following the process the shredded MSW is utilized as a fuel in a similar way to the mass burn plants. Burning of MSW helps to reduce the volume of waste by 90%, which creates a positive impact on environment. However, air pollution and ash disposal from these operations have created negative impact on the environment and this has become a major issue. The U.S government is taking effective measures to control pollutants released from these energy plants (Searchinger et al 1238-1240). According to Ian H. Rowlands, Paul Parker and Daniel Scott the plants that convert waste to energy also produce many toxic materials like lead, mercury, cadmium and other trace organic compounds which also lead to problems in the environment. These toxic materials are released in the air and soil by the plants. In addition, these plants also generate high amount of nitrogen oxide, which has very adverse effects on the natural environment. Thus most of the garbage in the major cities of the United States is being used in the energy production. It is an inexpensive energy resource. The garbage collected from different parts of the cities is delivered to the power plants for production of electricity. This process also helps to cover a lot of cost associated with the disposal of waste products. However, due to certain negative impacts such as the release of pollutants from the plants, the process of utilizing waste and converting it into energy has been not encouraged in many countries of the world. If the process is not conducted effectively then there is a strong chance of experiencing environmental damage (Rowlands, Parker and Scott 112-129). The research method chosen for any study is vital as it forms the base of the research and helps in providing the reader with all the information pertaining to the study undertaken. This particular study has two major objectives: the major types of pollution in United States and generation of electricity from garbage. Based on the study objectives it can be stated that this study would require more of qualitative research compared to quantitative research. Qualitative research method is centered towards obtaining information from all forms of secondary sources. An in-depth analysis can be conducted through this form of research procedure (Thomas 112). On the other hand, quantitative technique helps the researcher to support the study through current market related data. This kind of research mechanism is essential when the study being conducted is critical and it needs to be analyzed on basis of market data (Silverman 145). The reason behind the use of the qualitative research in this study is the need to include a large number of secondary sources of information for analyses in order to explain the generation of electricity from wastes and garbage. While primary data collection sources include questionnaire surveys, focus group study and structured or unstructured interviews, the secondary data collection sources include journals, books, articles, websites and the internet (Punch 102). This study would analyze data from secondary sources such as journals, books and online articles. These articles will help in studying the techniques used for conversion of garbage into energy and about the pollution levels in the United States (Kumar 92). Further a thorough critical analysis would be conducted on the collected data for identifying different dimensions which are related to the research problem and objectives. According to Kotay, Shireen, and Das the United States generates more than 390 million tons of waste per year. For this, several cities in the US have adopted measures to pick up garbage from the respective homes and from where they are unloaded at a particular point (Kotay, Shireen and Das 258-263). The article by Kotler and Philip focuses on the process of energy generation from waste and explains how the waste is treated as a source of energy generation. This energy produced is renewable in nature and it can be used or applied for pollution control. The energy could be used for business as well as in residential set-ups as a source of fuel which can help in reducing excessive drilling and mining and increasing reliance on imported energy sources (Kotler 132-135). Hart, Stuart L.A has provided an explanation about the hierarchy of waste management beginning with land filling, recovery of waste such as conversion of the waste into energy, recycling and consumption of the waste (Hart 986-1014). Bull, Stanley R. in his paper, has emphasized on the need to evaluate and observe various problems contributing to environmental damage and has further suggested that the increasing population and hence the need for more food and economy as the major reasons for environmental problems and that humans beings are expected to alleviate these issues at the earliest possible in order to develop and maintain a sustainable world (Bull 1216-1226). Anastas, Paul and Zimmerman) in have focused on the conversion of waste heat into electricity and has also explained that with increasing globalization and industrialization the world is fast witnessing an increasing generation of heat from various sources. Previously this heat failed to be utilized and was wasted, however, with the development in science and technology the heat generated is used as a source for generating electricity (Anastas, Paul and Zimmerman 94-101). Psomopoulos, C. S., A. Bourka, and Nickolas J. Themelis have focused on the reduction or decrease in the emission of gases due to greenhouse effect and its use in the conservation of energy. The authors have suggested that the US could utilize both strategies related to recycling as well as generation of energy from waste and have emphasized that the old method of accumulation of trash is one of the most cost efficient and effective method or process and it can be followed through the practice of composition and recycling. In their study, Majumdar, Sumit K., and Alfred A. Marcus) have emphasized on the concept of recycling which is referred to or regarded as the collection and separation of waste and the conversion of waste that can be utilized for remanufacturing or conversion of the waste into marketable or usable materials or components. The recycling includes or comprises of large amount of materials that is derived from the combustors and the landfills and its use will prevent the accumulation of unnecessary wastage of various raw materials and natural resources. The benefits provided to the environment through the recycling of waste include: decrease in the emission of greenhouse gas, conservation of energy and conservation and preservation of natural habitats and the biodiversity. The recycling of the waste materials will provide and generate several new manufacturing jobs that will boost and revitalize the economy and will increase US competitiveness in the global market (Majumdar, Sumit and Marcus 170-179). Weitz, Keith has highlighted on the international management of solid waste in the United States and discusses about the issues related to the management of solid waste that is able to generate trash or waste due to the increasing population rates and its subsequent demands (Weitz 1000-1011) Analysis and Findings The per capita and total solid waste generated in United States has increased at a rapid pace in sync with the growing pace of development in the United States (Pichtel 6). From 1980 to 2014 there has been an increase of 65% of the amount of solid waste generated in the United States. Per capita waste generation in the same time has increased by 20% over the same period of time. Municipal Solid waste generation in United States (Centre for sustainable systems, 2014) The total amount of waste generated by the United States is about 390 million tones every year. There is an urgent need to do something about this huge volume of waste before it gets too late. There are various ways to manage waste especially non-hazardous wastes in an effective manner. However all of the methods are not equally effective. Following is a list of different methods beginning with the most efficient methods. Waste management methods (Source: EPA, 2013) Among the various waste management techniques the best waste management practice would be the one which would be able to reduce the generation of waste at source. An easier option would be to donate used materials to the less fortunate and reusing materials which can be modified. The advantages of reusing or reducing wastes include less energy consumption and saving the natural resources. The lesser waste generated by this process would eventually decrease the time and money spent on waste disposal methods. Many non- hazardous wastes management can be effectively recycled. Metallic wastes can be suitably recycled for reuse after it has been used once. Plastic products can also be remolded for reuse. Disposal or dumping of wastes is one of the least preferred modes of waste management (Themelis and Ulloa 1719). This is essentially because the waste that is dumped can interact with the soil and ground water and can contaminate it and can also generate methane and other hazardous gases through organic reactions (Chen and Cheng 24). There are various methods and techniques that can be used to generate energy and electricity from waste. The major sources for these processes include non-recyclable waste materials. A few of these methods and their relative impact on the environment are analyzed below. Gasification is a process that converts organic or carbon based materials into different gases such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen and carbon dioxide (Arena 625). In this process the materials react at high temperatures with oxygen or steam. The gas mixture that is formed as a result is called syn gas or producer gas and this gas, by itself, is a source of fuel (Higman and Maarten 209). The producer gas can be used in different ways. The gas can either be directly combusted in gas engines or can be used to produce methanol or hydrogen, which can subsequently be used as a fuel. The gas can further be converted to a fuel by using some technologies. The advantage that gasification provides is that the gas can be combusted at a much higher temperature and hence is more efficient than the processes which involve the direct combustion of waste. Another way of gasification that is most commonly used in the recent times is called plasma gasification. In plasma gasification the waste materials are converted to gas using a plasma torch. There are several advantages that plasma gasification provides over other waste to energy conversion techniques. Firstly it provides a method of clean destruction of hazardous wastes and the second another advantage is that plasma gasification does not produce wastes which further react or contaminate the ground water in contrast to landfill. Harmful emission of toxic gases is eliminated. The slag produced can be used as a construction material. However, the disadvantage of plasma gasification is that the initial investment is much higher compared to other methods such as landfill. Pyrolysis involves thermo chemical decomposition of organic materials at high temperatures (Basu 147). The method involves heating and decomposing a substance at elevated temperatures in an environment that is devoid of oxygen. The output that is produced out of this process is irreversible. The method can be used to treat hydrocarbon wastes in order to produce materials such as hydrocarbon oils, gases and char. The advantage that pyrolysis provides over other waste conversion methods is that both chemical value and energy can be recovered from the waste through the pyrolytic process. The oil and gases that are produced from the pyrolytic process are of high calorific value and the char produced can be used as a substitute for carbon black (Shiung and Chase 4211). Anaerobic digestion is a process in which germs are used to break down biodegradable products in the absence of oxygen (American biogas council 2015). Anaerobic digestion of biodegradable products by microorganisms produces biogas, which can then be combusted to produce energy. There are various methods and technologies, which can be used for anaerobic digestion of the biodegradable products. This is a good method for solid waste disposal and produces gas, which can be used as a fuel and the slag, which can be used as manure. However, the problem with this technique is that it produces methane gas, which is considered to be toxic. The waste to energy conversion processes has long been viewed critically in the United States with most politicians focusing on the negative effects of these processes. However, it must be noted that all the waste to energy techniques are not always harmful. While the United States has just 89 such facilities that convert Waste to energy Europe has about 420 facilities for these processes. Northern Europe, which is the most environmentally conscious region in Europe has the most number of such facilities. Many times those who oppose waste to energy conversion techniques argue that encouraging such conversion methods will only lead to less emphasis on recycling. However this statement is not backed by evidence which has emerged from many European countries which consider both recycling and conversion of waste to energy as two processes that go hand in hand. It should be noted that Germany, Netherlands, Austria, Belgium and Sweden, which rank among the top 5 countries that undertake recycling activities, are also the highest advocators of waste to energy conversion techniques. The combustion of turbines is generally used for generating the load of electricity. The materials or the substances that are under the process of combustion are called fuels. The combustion process will provide the recovery of energy. There are mainly three types of technologies that have been adopted for the combustion by the municipal solid waste and these are the modular systems, refusing the derived system of fuel and the facilities related to the mass burn. The non hazardous waste will help or assist in recovering the energy and installation of the equipment related to pollution control. The municipal solid waste of the power plants, which also includes the fossil fuel power plant, requires land for the maintenance of equipment and storage of fuel. The residue that is generated from the ashes and the burning of the municipal solid waste is generally deposited in the landfills. A comparison of the combustion and the land fill has been made for the purpose of electricity generation. The conversion of waste into energy is related to the burning of power for development of the turbine that is mainly steam driven, and the landfill gas conversion into energy mainly includes the capturing of gas derived from the burial of the waste during its decomposition. The gas that is generated is then combusted in a turbine or in an engine for generation of electricity. With regard to emission of greenhouse gases, generation of methane will result from the burial or decomposition of waste used for generation of electricity. It is observed that burning of waste is considered as a more suitable and favorable option for generation of electricity and it has been found that the conversion process will be able to produce the 10 times more electricity as compared to that of the landfill gas energy for the same quantity of waste (Sims, Ralph, Rogner and Gregory 1316). Thus in conclusion this paper has focused on the large percentage of wastage generated across the globe and the resulting adverse impact on environment. United States has implemented an innovative procedure through which they can convert garbage or wastage into electricity. This in turn facilitates reduction in pollution levels. Energy is basically converted through burning hazardous, residential, commercial wastage such as paper, food scraps, metals and papers. In this study it has been outlined that in United States renewable energy plays an essential role as an alternative to fossil fuels. There is large number of wastage reduction plants located across United States so as to implement such an innovative procedure. However, the reduction of wastage in this form does contribute to certain negative effects on the environment. It gives rise to huge amount of carbon dioxide emission and this increases level of global warming within the atmosphere. There are theoretical frameworks incorporated in this study so as to support research aim and objectives. As per views of many authors, waste to energy conversion can be stated as an effective mechanism in order to prevent any form of climatic change. When appropriate technology is used formation of greenhouse gases can be significantly reduced in addition to any other form of environmental damage. In United States, waste to energy conversion plants comprises of Material Solid Waste approximately around 29 million tons. Paper and yard wastage plays a central component in the electricity generation process. There are two different designs utilized for converting waste into energy. Mass Burn is regarded as the most common technology for generating electricity. In Mass Burn technique, the material solid waste is burned in similar way as in the technology used in case of fossil fuels. The second design implemented for wastage to energy conversion is refuse derived fuel. It is a process of pre-combustion and encompasses separating shedding and metal from material solid waste. This particular study took a qualitative approach to the research study. In this form of research study expert’s opinions or views are undertaken to determine research outcome. The secondary data sources such as journals, articles, books, etc., are taken into consideration for analyzing research problem. The conversion procedure as outlined in this research study mainly deals with non-recyclable waste materials. From the analysis it is evident that such efficient technologies can help to control overall energy consumption and save our natural resources to a great extent. References American biogas council. What is anaerobic digestion? 2015. Web. 23 January 2015. < http://www.americanbiogascouncil.org/biogas_what.asp> Anastas, Paul and Julie B. Zimmerman. "Peer reviewed: design through the 12 principles of green engineering. Environmental science & technology.37 (5). (2003). 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