SWAG agenda 082514 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Comprehensive Review of S olid W aste Collection and Disposal Options v2.1 168 10/22/12 including MSW. Plasma arcs were commercialized in the metallurgical industry where the high temperatures produced in the reactor vessel (potentially up to 10,000C) are used to create special alloys. Some of the electric power generated by the plant is siphoned off to power the torches. The basic plasma arc process is shown in Exhibit 12-7. Exhibit 12 -7. Basic Plasma Gasification Process 12.4.1.2 Autoclave The basic autoclave process has been in commercial use for decades, primarily in the medical field for sterilizing instruments, some manufacturing uses and in the sterilizing of medical wastes. In an autoclave process for solid waste, mixed MSW is fed into a reactor vessel where it is subjected to heat, pressure and agitation. The reactor conditions cause the organic fraction of the waste (i.e., food scraps, fiber/paper products and vegetation) to break down into a pulp-like substance that potentially has reuse applications depending on the degree of post-processing selected. The pulp has been demonstrated with a few systems to be a useful soil conditioner and also is being tested for use as feedstock for the production of ethanol, an alternative vehicle fuel and in the production of a RDF for combustion in power plants. The process also claims to provide a higher quality recyclable product. Plastic recyclable materials are softened and occupy less volume downstream. Product labels on glass, plastics and metals are totally removed and these materials also are cleaned and sterilized. A basic autoclave process is shown in Exhibit 12-8.