1. Alternative Resources, Inc.
Consideration of New and Emerging Technologies (Conversion Technologies) for Solid Waste Management in Massachusetts Presented at EBC Solid Waste Energy Seminar
June 9, 2010
Presented by
James J. Binder, P.E.
Alternative Resources, Inc.
Concord, MA
(978)

2. Conversion Technologies
Thermal
Use or produce heat to change the composition of organic portion of MSW
Products include synthesis gas, fuels, vitrified residue or char, recovered metals and other materials
Descriptors: gasification, pyrolysis and plasma
Digestion (Aerobic and Anaerobic)
Decomposes organic compostable fraction of MSW using microbes
Anaerobic digestion produces biogas and compost
Aerobic digestion produces compost
Hydrolysis
Chemical reaction in which water (typically with acid) reacts with another substance to form new substances
Extracts cellulose from MSW to form products or sugar which is fermented to ethanol
Some products include ethanol, levulinic acid
Mechanical Processing
To create a fuel or other reusable products

3. Why Consider Conversion Technologies?
Environmental benefits, including reduction in greenhouse gas and other emissions
Enhanced beneficial use of waste; material recovery and energy production; less waste requiring transfer and landfilling
Production of needed “renewable” products with strong, year-round markets
Electricity
Gas
Fuels – CNG, LNG, ethanol, hydrogen, biodiesel

4. Examples of Recent Independent Evaluations
New York City
Phase I – 2004
Phase II – 2007
LA County
Phase I – 2005
City of LA – Phase I: 2005
University of California, Riverside – June 2009

5. Summary of Technical Findings NYC Phase II Evaluation 2007
Anaerobic digestion and thermal processing technologies are in commercial operation overseas for mixed MSW, and could be successfully applied in NYC
Reference facilities provide a demonstration of performance
Site size requirements
Anaerobic digestion: 8-14 acres (~500 tpd)
Thermal processing: acres ( ,000 tpd)
No issues have been identified that would prevent transfer of design and operation experience from commercial operation overseas to application of the technologies in the U.S.
Project-specific and site-specific issues would need to be addressed

6. Typical Net Energy Production Net Electric/ Fuel Output
1,000 TPD 100% Availability
Thermal /
Gasification/ Electricity
kWh/Ton
16-28 MWe
Thermal/
Gasification/
Ethanol
60-70 Gal Ethanol/Ton
22-26 Million
Gal/Year
Anaerobic Digestion/ Electricity
kWh/Ton
5-10 MWe
Acid Hydrolysis/ Ethanol
31 Gal Ethanol/Ton
11 Million Gal/Year

7. Typical Landfill Diversion
(By weight)
Thermal
>90%
Anaerobic Digestion
65-85%

8. Summary of Environmental Findings NYC Phase II Evaluation 2007
In general, anaerobic digestion and thermal processing technologies have the potential to offer better environmental performance than waste-to-energy facilities, including lower air emissions, increased beneficial use of waste, and reduced reliance on landfilling

9. Typical Economics
Economic analyses indicate that anaerobic digestion and thermal processing technologies, on a commercial scale, are comparable to or less costly than costs for current waste management practices, including in-state and export practices
Projected tipping fee for private ownership and financing without ARRA, DOE Funding:
Anaerobic digestion = $60-$80/ton
Thermal processing = $65-$100/ton
Potential for ARRA, DOE funding – could lower tip fees $10-$20/ton.
Corporate teaming experience in the U.S. continuing to develop for the technology suppliers

10. Status of Active U.S. Initiatives
Permitting
St. Lucie County, Florida: 600 TPD – Plasma Gasification – Electricity
Fulcrum Energy, Nevada: 300 TPD – Plasma Gasification – Ethanol
Contract Negotiation
Taunton, MA: Commercial Facility, TPD – Gasification – Ethanol
City of Los Angeles: Demonstration Facility, 150 TPD – AD
County of Los Angeles: Demonstration Facilities, TPD – AD and Gasification
Salinas, CA: Commercial Facility – Plasma Gasification
Procurement
City/County of Santa Barbara: Commercial Facility, 700 TPD – AD, Gasification, Other

11. Status of Active U.S. Initiatives (cont.)
Siting
New York City: TPD – AD, Gasification
Technology Evaluations/Planning
Connecticut – CRRA
Delaware – DSWA
New Jersey – ACUA
California – San Diego, Orange County, San Jose, Oakland, San Bernardino County, others

12. Taunton, Massachusetts
Selected IWT to Finance, Permit, Design, Construct, Operate Facility on City-Leased Site.
1770-TPD Regional Solid Waste Management Facility
Accept post-recycled mixed MSW and other wastes
Materials Recycling Facility
Thermoselect Gasification Process
Coskata Ethanol Production Facility
Benefits City, Region, State
In-state solution to reduce waste export
Long term, stable and competitive tip fees – economic benefit to communities, commercial businesses and industry
Increased recycling and diversion from landfilling
Reduced environmental impacts – greenhouse gas emissions
Production of ethanol – renewable fuel – from waste materials, not corn
Provides economic benefits
300 construction jobs
80 long-term O&M jobs
Economic stimulus to region
Operation –

13. Plant View – Site Construction
ArrowBio – Jacks Gully
Sydney, Australia
300 TPD
July 2008
Commercial operation 2009

14. Reciprocating Engine/Gen Set
ArrowBio, Tel Aviv
Operating since 2003

15. Thermoselect Gasification Projects in Japan

16. IWT – Chiba, Japan
330 TPD
Operating since 1999

17. JFE/Thermoselect Plant
Waste in Pit
JFE/Thermoselect Plant
Kurashiki, Japan
610 TPD
Operating since 2005

18. Cut Away Model - Ebara Plant
Kawaguchi, Japan
380 TPD
Operating Since 2002

19. Control Room – Ebara Plant
Kawaguchi, Japan

20. Westinghouse Plasma Gasification System Utashinai, Japan
165 TPD for Auto Shredder Residue (ASR)
or 300 TPD for MSW
Date of Commercial Operation: 2003

21. IES – Romoland, CA
50 TPD
Operating since March 2005

22. Gasifier and Thermal Oxidizer Entech Facility, Bydgoszcz, Poland
25 TPD – Hospital Waste
Operating since February 2003

23. Plasco Energy Demonstration Facility Ottawa, Canada
100 TPD (Permitted for 85 TPD,
Generates 4 MW electricity)
Date of Initial Waste Processing: 2007

24. Plasco Energy Group – Plasma Gasification Facility
Artist Rendering for Facility Proposed for
City of Los Angeles
200 TPD