Waste to Energy: Turning Municipal Solid Waste into Green Coal for an Eco-Friendly Future

 

Excessive mining activities and deforestation cause a rise in global temperatures and release large amounts of CO2, which pose a significant threat to life on our planet. As a result, many countries are shifting towards eco-friendly ways of energy management and carbon-neutral methods of energy production. One such method that has gained a lot of attention recently is Green Coal technology.

Green coal, also known as bio-coal is an eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuels and is made from a combination of waste materials, such as agricultural residue and municipal solid waste (MSW). One of the key benefits of green coal is that it reduces the amount of CO2 emissions produced.

For example, using 1 kg of bio-coal as solid fuel, instead of fossil coal, can bring about a reduction of approximately 2 kg of CO2 produced per kg of fossil coal. This is a significant step in reducing the carbon footprint of industries that rely on fossil fuels, such as thermal power plants, petrochemical refining, cement plants, etc.

 

How is Green Coal made?

Waste-to-Coal plants turn municipal solid waste (MSW), often called garbage or trash, into the high calorific value of charcoal by means of a ‘Charcoal Reactor’,  which involves the thermal treatment of MSW at a temperature of 200-300°C, resulting in a solid fuel that has properties similar to fossil coal. Not only does bio-coal provide a sustainable and fossil-free alternative to traditional coal, but it also offers a solution to the problem of waste management.

The process of waste to energy starts with the collection of MSW from various sources such as households, institutions, and commercial establishments. The waste is then transported to an energy conversion facility, where it is sorted, processed, and treated to remove contaminants and impurities. The processed waste is then subjected to high temperatures which break down into volatile matter.

It is important to note that MSW contains a diverse range of materials that are not typically found in biomass feedstock, due to this reason, the process of Charcoal generation is more complex and requires a different approach to the process.

The charcoal that is discharged is further cleaned using a sieve. The pure char is mixed with exacting proportions of binder & water in a mixer. The mixture is then fed into a pelletizing machine, which creates pellets of Green Coal.

 

Why should fossil-fuel-consuming industries consider Green Coal?

• Cost-effective: Green coal is a renewable resource, which means that it is not subject to the same price volatility and supply chain issues as fossil fuels. It is produced from waste materials such as agricultural residue and municipal solid waste, which makes it a cost-effective alternative to fossil coal, which is becoming increasingly expensive.
• Reduced transportation costs: Since green coal can be produced locally, it reduces the need for long-distance transportation. This results in lower transportation costs and helps reduce carbon emissions associated with transportation. It is also easy to store and transport, as it is a solid fuel that can be stored and transported in bulk.
• Cleaner combustion: Green coal has a lower sulphur content compared to fossil coal, which makes it a cleaner fuel. This means that when it is burned, it produces fewer pollutants, such as sulphur dioxide and particulate matter.
• Improved waste management: The production of green coal provides a sustainable solution for waste management. It allows for the conversion of waste materials into a valuable energy source, reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills, etc.
• Utilisation of non-biodegradable components: Larger components nowadays in MSW are plastics including bottles & cans which take centuries to decompose. In this process, it gives an immediate solution as it is 100% broken into the volatile matter.
• Improved energy security: By using green coal, industries, and thermal power plants can reduce their dependence on fossil fuels, which are finite resources. This can help improve energy security and provide a more stable energy supply.
• Reduced environmental impact: Green coal has a lower carbon footprint and produces fewer pollutants than fossil coal. The production of green coal from MSW reduces greenhouse gas emissions and does not emit harmful pollutants.

Macawber Beekay has been making conscious and consistent efforts toward the protection of our environment so that CO2 emissions reduce significantly. We have done this by creating a better, sustainable alternative to fossil coal in the form of ‘Green Coal’. Though the waste-to-coal initiative is at a nascent stage, we are confident that our efforts are in the right direction & in line with India’s promise at the COP26 Glasgow summit on cutting its emissions to net zero by 2070.

We firmly believe that waste to energy will play an important role in shaping the future of the energy sector. The benefits of using green coal are many, and industries and thermal power plants can take advantage of them to reduce their environmental impact, lower their costs, and improve their energy security. By making the switch to this eco-friendly alternative, you too can help create a more sustainable future for generations to come.

Reach us today at https://www.mbl.in/greencoal to know more about Green Coal.