Advanced Plasma Power's new clean waste (From Swindon Advertiser)
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Advanced Plasma Power's new clean waste
8:20pm Sunday 5th October 2008 in News
Rob Johns, support services manager at Advanced Plasma Power
A RENEWABLE energy revolution, where rubbish could be turned into power, is under way in Swindon.
Swindon company Advanced Plasma Power says it is has managed to create clean, renewable energy from household waste that was destined for landfill.
The plant is designed to deal with waste which cannot be recycled and the company’s process vaporises waste at temperatures of up to 1,500 degrees Celsius.
Using a technology called gas plasma the company claims to have created hydrogen gas and a non-toxic stone material from rubbish in its South Marston factory.
The hydrogen gas could go into gas engines, which make electricity and heat, while the stone material could be used in building.
It says a plant treating 100,000 tonnes of waste could power more than 8,000 homes.
The firm’s chief executive, Andrew Hamilton, said: “We think it is a very exciting breakthrough.
“It is a combination of existing technologies but we have made them work together.
“We are now taking it to commercial development.
“We think it has other applications, not only in the UK but around the world, because of the need to divert waste away from landfill and help achieve renewable energy targets.”
The company is currently securing sites around the UK and is hoping to persuade councils to let it zap waste.
It is also seeking potential clients, including electricity companies.
“This operation would run 24 hours a day,” said Mr Hamilton. “It is not like wind power, which only blows occasionally.
“This could put Swindon at the heart of plasma technology in the UK.”
The company says only one per cent of waste treated in its plant would have to go to landfill.
“It also promises to have one of the lowest carbon footprints of any power plant.
APP has been developing the technique for three years after the technology was developed by Tectronics , a sister company based in Faringdon.
Comments(9)
Al Smith
says...
9:09am Mon 6 Oct 08
tarot
says...
9:30am Mon 6 Oct 08
It says renewable energy.
Al Smith
says...
9:58am Mon 6 Oct 08
You can't generate renewable power from non-renewable sources of fuel.
Wind, solar, geothermal and bio-mass are considered renewable.
To quote "Swindon company Advanced Plasma Power says it is has managed to create clean, renewable energy from household waste that was destined for landfill. "
Now unless this household waste is stuff like paper or compostable material then it is not really renewable.
My guess is it could be stuff like plastic bags or nappies. They contain materials derived from oil or other fossil fuels and so aren't renewable.
For all I know they may even need an external source of power, which unless it's from the wind farm in Watchfield ain't gonna be renewable.
Unfortunately, I suspect good engineering work has been made to look like codswallop by too much PR speak or shoddy journalism...
Bobfm
says...
10:36am Mon 6 Oct 08
If the bottom line cost is an improvement on landfill costs then of course it is a good idea, if not then it's just another expensive, no doubt EU funded con.
Mick12
says...
1:52pm Mon 6 Oct 08
RFM
says...
2:02pm Mon 6 Oct 08
PeeGee
says...
3:09pm Mon 6 Oct 08
Al Smith wrote:Al's right, you know. I'm guessing that they'll have an import/export arrangement with the local distribution network. That'll mean that they use what electric they need and offset it against what is produced. But renewable energy it ain't. The source has to be reusable for that. It's just a high tech oil burning power station. It also appears to be energy intensive. It would be interesting to see it's efficiency ratings compared to existing generating sources. Also, where is the volatile hydrogen gas which it produces going to be stored. More stunning journalism from the Adver.
Tarot - one of us needs to put our brains into gear. You can't generate renewable power from non-renewable sources of fuel. Wind, solar, geothermal and bio-mass are considered renewable. To quote "Swindon company Advanced Plasma Power says it is has managed to create clean, renewable energy from household waste that was destined for landfill. " Now unless this household waste is stuff like paper or compostable material then it is not really renewable. My guess is it could be stuff like plastic bags or nappies. They contain materials derived from oil or other fossil fuels and so aren't renewable. For all I know they may even need an external source of power, which unless it's from the wind farm in Watchfield ain't gonna be renewable. Unfortunately, I suspect good engineering work has been made to look like codswallop by too much PR speak or shoddy journalism...
Bobfm
says...
7:21pm Mon 6 Oct 08
tarot
says...
8:08am Tue 7 Oct 08
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