How Gasification Turns Waste Into Energy

Turning waste into energy has usually meant incineration - that is, burning our trash. But this method has major environmental drawbacks. Gasification could be a better alternative. It’s an old technology that proponents hope to repurpose as a cleaner and more economical waste-to-energy solution, and now a number of companies in this space say they’re on the verge of commercialization and expansion.

We produce over 2 billion tons of waste per year, a number that's expected to grow by 70% by 2050. We've long sought ways to turn all this waste into energy, but this has usually meant incineration - that is, burning our trash - a method that many environmentalists say is far too polluting.

A better solution may lie in gasification, an old technology that advocates are trying to repurpose as a way to deal with our waste. Gasification companies don't burn trash, instead they turn into a synthetic gas, in a process they say is both economical and eco-friendly.

This synthetic gas can then be converted into a wide variety of end products like electricity, diesel fuel, hydrogen fuel, or ethanol, depending on whats most valuable in any given market.

While in the past, gasification companies have struggled to scale-up and meet their energy production targets, now companies like Sierra Energy, Enerkem and Plasco say they're ready to commercialize and expand.

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How Gasification Turns Waste Into Energy

[jarednovel]

Managing any form of waste becomes easy the moment we start considering waste as a resource and not a problem

[TheLiamster]

I can turn myself into energy, that’s amazing.

[krishateresabaliling]

PLEASE HAVE THIS TECHNOLOGY IN THIRD WORLD COUNTRIES. we are the most saturated countries with single use plastic like sachets. :(

[timhutzler]

I really admire Mike Heart's commitment in making a difference and his work with Sierra Energy. Kudos to you, Sir..

[keithoneil]

I was involved in a project supplying shredding and conveyor systems for the original Plasco plant in Ottawa in 2005. Even then you could see the advantages of gasification. Getting paid to take your waste and getting paid for the electricity being made sounded like a great way to reduce waste in our landfills.

[mahnamahna]

We currently waste so many resources transporting our trash and "recycling " to other countries where...oh damn a lot of it gets burned

[livenotonevil]

This technology has a great future, I'm convinced.

[Delosian]

I said this 20 years ago and I'm still saying it: Thermal Depolymerization ("Gasification") is our future.

[reducedfaticecreamisjustde]

It would sure be nice if this could take the place of landfills and recycling, along with creating a renewable fuel source through production of waste turned diesel fuel.

[jarednovel]

The Japanese have technology that makes it possible to clean emissions from waste to electricity plants

[acausality]

Great to see this getting going, really frustrating it's taking so long. Converting garbage to energy & other usable products should already be the norm!

[kaneshiacarylhinoguin]

I hope someday we can have this kind of technology in the Philippines. The amount of waste here is just highly alarming. If I'd be a billionaire here, I'd spend it with this technology for sure. How I wish. Great job! 👍

[johndoyle]

Very interesting, thanks. This a very difficult process due to the very variable nature of the feedstock(Waste), and always vulnerable to rogue elements getting into the waste. I spent 30 years in the recycling business, every day saw new problems, actually we called them challenges.
Good luck to all those trying so hard to make the world a better place.

[jifa]

Please reduce the usage of disposable plastics. Disposable forks, spoons, plastic bags, cups, etc. are too much for our mother earth.

[davidcwilkerson]

This is how it works. We put stuff in the top and stuff in the bottom and we gat gas.
Wow real in depth explanation

[iBRiDGE]

For every missed mark and every set back and for everyone who keeps pushing forward...thank you. For never giving up.

[andywolan]

I remember reading about this in Popular Science over a decade ago. It promised that landfills full of waste could be processed and left empty. Still waiting for the tech to happen.

[NewMotionSound]

Thank you #CNBC, #Katie Brigham, and #Jeniece Pettitt for producing this video. This is exactly the kind of content that we want to watch and hear about!

[benjaminmondragon]

This technology still has a 30% residue called char, which still has to be sent to landfill. Co-processing is a more efficient, affordable and scalable choice. The problem is the low landfill fees

[terrestrialaccessnetwork]

CNBC is doing an awesome job with these videos. They are incredibly entertaining