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I've long been curious about plasma gasification for waste handling and your comment prompted me to see if that might be viable and I found: https://news.mit.ed

I've long been curious about plasma gasification for waste handling and your comment prompted me to see if that might be viable and I found: https://news.mit.edu/2021/inentec-turning-trash-into-valuable-chemical-products-clean-fuels-0106 https://news.mit.edu/2021/inentec-turning-trash-into-valuabl... Further searching on the company name has not been entirely encouraging but maybe I'm doing it wrong. There was a company called Changing World Technologies that I was very excited about that failed to deliver on its promises, so my enthusiasm is quite tempered.

in_vestor 3y ago
Yes! This is one of the ideas I’ve spent time on and am still somewhat curious about. InEnTec is the leading company in the space (as far as I can tell) because they have good scientific leadership, a good academic pedigree, and an investment by Waste Management. The technology still has its challenges. It is hard to make it economical relative to alternatives, for one. I also think executives are not driving at the correct business model, overemphasizing syngas production and underemphasizing just getting rid of waste and possibly recovering metals. But the biggest problem I see in terms of its viability for recycling is that it is all down cycling. Valuable and precious metals all end up in either a hugely challenging mixed alloy, or they get wasted in the vitrified slag output. I have been trying to find someone who can clarify if any progress has been made on this.
- pstuart 3y ago
  The website seems to be unmaintained, and searches for the company by name don't bring up anything past 2021. I think they're dead, which is quite the pity. It obviously needs to be economically viable to pursue, but should be worthy of subsidies to help it find its footing--we'll all be well-served by having better recycling options. If you learn anything more about this please share!

in_vestor 3y ago

Yes! This is one of the ideas I’ve spent time on and am still somewhat curious about. InEnTec is the leading company in the space (as far as I can tell) because they have good scientific leadership, a good academic pedigree, and an investment by Waste Management. The technology still has its challenges. It is hard to make it economical relative to alternatives, for one. I also think executives are not driving at the correct business model, overemphasizing syngas production and underemphasizing just getting rid of waste and possibly recovering metals. But the biggest problem I see in terms of its viability for recycling is that it is all down cycling. Valuable and precious metals all end up in either a hugely challenging mixed alloy, or they get wasted in the vitrified slag output. I have been trying to find someone who can clarify if any progress has been made on this.

pstuart 3y ago
The website seems to be unmaintained, and searches for the company by name don't bring up anything past 2021. I think they're dead, which is quite the pity. It obviously needs to be economically viable to pursue, but should be worthy of subsidies to help it find its footing--we'll all be well-served by having better recycling options. If you learn anything more about this please share!