Can we achieve sustainability by continually building structural systems of efficiency? First Law of Thermodynamics

1. Waste to Energy
Inefficiency A Means
To Sustainability
Peter Kuria Githinji
27.01.2014 (HAMK)
peter.g.kuria@gmail.com

2. Structure of Presentation
-General Introduction State of Matter (solid, liquid and gas)
-Transformations that Create Waste
-10 Considerations before converting waste to Energy
-Philosophical questions on states of energy
-Examples of Energy Transformations
-Technical Considerations About Waste to Energy
-Sources of Waste
-Systems of Waste Consolidation
-Tools you use (Legal/Human good)

3. General Introduction State of Matter (solid, liquid and gas)
MATTER: Matter is found in three states 1. SOLID 2. LIQUID 3. GAS
Matter can be transformed from one state to another:

4. Transformations that Create Waste
We transform matter to new forms - but they remain within the same
three states: SOLID, LIQUID and GAS, in the process, some heat is
released and lost to the environment. The end product in most cases
is however of little or of “NO use” = “WASTE”
FORMS of waste - SOLID (plastic), LIQUID (tannin), GAS (methane)

5. NB// Energy Can Not be Created nor
Destroyed “1st Law of Thermodynamics”
The law of conservation of energy states
that the total energy of an isolated
system is constant; energy can be
transformed from one form to another,
but cannot be created or destroyed

6. 10 Considerations: Converting Waste to Energy
1. SCALE - Size of the idea-
2. FEEDSTOCK- /Modelling/
3. DISTRIBUTION - for whom?
4. IMAGINED or REAL NEED?
5. COMPETING RESOURCES?
6. LINKAGES TO OTHER SECTORS
7. INiTIAL COSTS (vs- No 5)
8. IS IT REDUCING COSTS
9. WHERE IS THE MONEY- /MODELLING/
10. SUSTAINABILITY

7. Philosophical questions on states of energy
When discussing about Waste to Energy- MUST we think of
converting all the waste to “heat energy”??
Are there other equally “creative” things that can be done?
Can the “waste” be converted to another form of stable energy
that is useful?
What other business models can be built around this to make
the model worthwhile? - What about converting that matter to
“MATTER” that is USABLE in any other form… — Not just
INCINERATION to generate power?

8. Examples of Energy Transformations
Think of simple energy transformations
Water - Ice-water-Vapour /// Paper-Heat-Charcoal-ash
Inefficiency for Sustainability /How much energy from the sun is converted to
usable energy daily?
What would happen if you ate an apple and you were 100 % efficient - in
converting it to your own energy?

9. Energy Transformations

10. Which Apple?

11. Inefficiency is everything- eat the apple?
Assume you were 100% efficient in
converting it- what would be the impact on
1. Micro-organisms and your survival?
2. Survival of the apple generation?

12. A few Technical Considerations
1. POISONOUS EMISSIONS
2. INCOMPLETE COMBUSTION- (if heat used to generate power/
incineration)
3. CONVERSION OF NATURAL EMISSIONS (CAPTURE OF
METHANE)
4. CONVERSION OF MATTER- to usable but inert state

13. Sources of Waste
Why is the source important?
1. Industrial waste - Chemicals?
2. Natural /Agricultural
3. Household —- ?? Electronic Waste? Organic
waste?

14. SYSTEMS
There has to be systems that allow the collection of
the waste for further action..
!
How do you consolidate your waste for your intended
purpose?

15. SUPPORTIVE TOOLS
What are the minimum requirements that would allow you
to deal with your waste- for example metal or electronic
waste?
- Legal tools (law)
-Goodwill of humans?
-Show me the money- Where is the money?

16. EXERCISE
Based on the information- form groups design a
schematic of how you would design a waste to
energy business
-In the model- explain in detail the kind of waste, the
need it is meeting, what you will do with the waste,
the financing of the model, and the end products or
results (does it bring profit?- what kind?)

17. Example End Product