Disposal of Garbage Wastes - Essay Example

BIOMASS QUESTIONS
Lecture 1 - Answer 1
The disposal of garbage waste is a challenge to any municipal corporation in the world. There is the possibility to use these wastes for energy production. Food wastes and green wastes emit methane gas on decomposition and methane gas can be utilized for energy production. Municipal Solid Wastes (MSW) have the potential for energy production but the capital cost for such projects may be very high and the revenues from energy generation may be quite low, thus rendering such projects unviable
(Brian Guzzone & Mark Schlagenhauf).
As regards plastics and other combustible contents of MSW, there is a favorable report on the use of these materials for energy production. However, the technology for such a venture is still in its infancy. It will take some more time before a breakthrough in technology is achieved for viable energy production for commercial use from plastics and other combustible contents (Plastics and the environment).
Answer 2
A herd of 2000 pigs can produce 400 ft3 of waste. This, in turn, can help produce 3120 ft3 of biogas per day. This figure of 3120 ft3 is arrived at assuming each pig produces 0.2 ft3 of waste from which 7.8 ft3/day of biogas is produced. (The Economics of Biogas in the Hog Industry, p7). The cogen must have the capacity of 1 x 75 kW and 1 x 110 kW to utilize the gas (The Economics of Biogas in the Hog Industry, p13).
Answer 3
The landowner will have to cultivate 2500 hectares of land if eucalypt trees are planted and 10,000 hectares of land if short rotation irrigated forestry crops are planted to produce 10 MW power. This figure is arrived at by calculating the requirement of 250 hectares of land if eucalypt trees are planted and 1000 hectares of land if short-rotation irrigated forestry crops are planted to produce 1 MW of power.
For irrigated forestry crops, the land availability depends on the type of crops planted. 10,000 hectares of land will be required for forestry crops if the crop in question is Prosopis which is a thorny plant that already grows wild on extensive areas of wasteland and serves as a fence (Garry Jacobs, p20).
Lecture 2 - Answer 1
It is in the proportion of 10% ethanol to 100% petrol. The equation stems from the simple fact that the proportion of ethanol is about ten percent of the total quantity of petrol. This figure is arrived at on the basis of volume where 10% ethanol is required for 100% petrol. After the mix-up, the equation becomes 10% ethanol and 90% petrol.
As regards the second part of the question, the answer is based on answer 3 in lecture 1. The quantity of biomass for sugar beet is 100,000 tons for 10 MW of power. 10,000 hectares of cereal residues will be sufficient to produce 10 MW of power for one year. This figure is arrived at after calculating 10,000 tons of sugar beet for 1 MW power and 1000 hectares of cereal residues for 1 MW power (Garry Jacobs, p20).
Answer 2
Australia has plenty of land resources. The issue is basically environmental. Australia consumes much power got from fossil fuels. This is responsible for pollution. Economy and job creation are also factors to consider for the production of biomass. The Great Reef Barrier is impacted due to global warming. Hence, it is necessary for Australia to clean up its backyard.
Australia also has tremendous reserves of water for use in the creation of power. It also has land resources for any land salination requirement.
Answer 3
The research for biomass ‘crops’ is at a nascent stage. Hence it is difficult to pinpoint with conviction any particular plant as the most suitable potential for biodiesel in Australia. The research is going on with several crops or their components such as algae, lignocellulose (woody or fibrous part of plants), wheat stubble, bagasse, plantation residues, urban waste wood, and organic wastes (Sustainable biomass production).
Of course, there are also sugar beet and cereal residues that are being researched for use in fuel. However, it will be difficult to really pinpoint any particular crop for the purpose of use as a resource for power as of now. Read More