Project Background
In an effort to recover more of the value from discarded materials, the City of Plano is exploring the use of refinement technologies to convert various waste streams, such as municipal solid waste and wood waste, into fuel products, such as biocoal, biodiesel, or compressed gas for fleet use. A consultant has been hired to prepare a Feasibility Study to research technologies such as pyrolysis, gasification, plasma and torrefaction.
Waste-to-fuel facilities have proven to be reliable fuel generators; however, no commercial-scale gasification or pyrolysis facilities using MSW are currently operational in the U.S. In addition to exploring the commercial applications of conversion technologies, two questions need to be addressed for Plano:
| 1. |
Does the City generate sufficient quantities of waste to supply a waste-to-fuel facility without having a negative impact on the City’s financial obligations to the North Texas Municipal Water District’s system? |
| 2. |
Is there adequate demand in the City and surrounding area for fuel products from the facility?
The Feasibility Study will explore these issues to determine if and how the City’s solid waste system, its functions, and relationship could change and still provide economic and sustainable solid waste management for the City’s waste. |
Project Schedule
The research, findings, recommendations, and supporting data will be compiled into a report to be given to the City in February 2012. The findings will also be incorporated into a PowerPoint presentation for presentation in the City and via webinar.
For more information about this study, please email wastetofuel@plano.gov.