Hot Topic Archives: Waste Grants supporting innovative projects
The Waste Authority’s Strategic Waste Initiative Scheme (SWIS) is helping develop innovative technology with a recent $45,823 grant to Murdoch University for a project with the potential to convert food waste into electricity.
Designed by Murdoch University Lecturer Dr Jaya Nair and constructed by a local plastic fusion company, the pilot plant is based at the university’s environmental technology centre and provides on-site anaerobic treatment of food waste including meat and organic waste.
The plant’s anaerobic treatment process generates a biogas with a similar combustion temperature to natural gas, which could be used as a source of power.
“The system has some great benefits,” Jaya said.
“This pilot plant is only two cubic metres but once we’ve completed all our testing and standardise the process, eight to 10 cubic metre plants will be able to supply household electricity.
“Also, it is cost effective, when constructed the plants will be simple to operate with the main expense being employing casual labour to oversee feeding the plants the required food waste.”
Dr Jaya Nair (second from left) with Murdoch University students feeding organic waste into the pilot plant.
Jaya said the plant may be the first of its kind in Australia as it uses mainly food waste instead of the more commonly used animal waste. Unlike other composting technologies, the process occurs within a sealed fermentation tank and the usual issues of dust, pests and odours are minimised.
Waste Authority Chairman Barry Carbon said the system was a simple solution to a widespread problem.
“Organic waste makes up a significant proportion of waste to landfill and the Authority is pleased to be supporting projects that help to recover what is a valuable resource,” he said
“The pilot plant is a great outcome and we’re very keen to see the project succeed. The commercial applications are enormous.”
Published in DECmatters on 13th May 2009
