Dow Plans North American Plastic Waste Recovery Facilities
1/28/2013
Dow Chemical and Klean Industries are collaborating to build waste recovery facilities throughout North America for recovering energy, chemicals, and oil from nonrecycled waste plastics, using gasification systems such as this one. (Source: Klean Industries)
I agree in principle, tekochip. Many of these alternative fuel facilities are being planned to take advantage of "waste" energy of various kinds produced onsite. But whether the fuel being produce can be used to power the site depends on the value of it as sold vs its value to power the plant. Often, as in pyrolysis, there are several products, one of which is sold for a profit, and others--such as escaped steam or some residues--that can be used inhouse to power the plant, or that can be sold externally as other forms of fuel.
The article mentions that the oil was used as fuel for the incinerator but didn't give any details about how much energy was recovered vs. how much energy is used. Wouldn't it be great if it was self-sustaining.
Thanks for the vote of confidence, bobjengr. I agree---sometimes all it takes to get an industry moving is one major player making the effort to show others it's possible.
I think with Dow Chemical and Klean Industries coming forward with this joint effort, other companies will realize that recycling is a great approach to aiding our environment and keeping the planet "green". Both have excellent track records using this proven technology. The fact there is a positive economic element to recycling should prove that an ROI is possible if enough development is done in finding the right processes. I certainly applaud their efforts.
Gorski, many of the systems designed with these technologies--gasification, pyrolysis--are devised to capture and reuse the various forms of "waste" energy (steam, gases, etc.) to power the plant itself, or to sell that "waste" energy to other plants nearby making other things, such as cement kilns. Obviously, this requires locating infrastructure with such uses in mind. The vast majority of plastic-to-fuel energy recovery methods have been designed specifically to be profitable enterprises.
While this sounds like a grreat way to eliminate a lot of plasice waste, what does it require in terms of energy input? I am thinking of ethanol. It cost more to make than it returns in lower energy fuel. Will Dow become teh new ADM?
While this sounds like a grreat way to eliminate a lot of plasice waste, what does it require in terms of energy input? I am thinking of ethanol. It cost more to make than it returns in lower energy fuel. Will Dow become teh new ADM?
And, what about the burn off from the fuel when it's used? Most of the pollution we produce is from using fuel, in cars, factories, etc. This process is a good step forward but what about the next step?
Just read that bridge story...yes that is pretty impressive! I am really enjoying your stories about this topic, look forward to more. It's an important space to cover not just technologically, but also ecologically and, on some levels, ethically.
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