Waste Management

Anaerobic Digestion (AD)

Anaerobic means: in the absence of air (oxygen).

AD is a natural stabilization process achieving odor, pathogen, and (bio) mass reduction.

An AD plant simply allows the natural process of anaerobic digestion to take place in the absence of oxygen and in optimized conditions to release the embedded energy in organic waste into a useable fuel called biogas. This is a mixture of 50-60% methane (the fuel), and the remainder Carbon dioxide. No chemicals are involved.

NB: This is a similar process to the conversion of grass in a cows’ (four) stomachs into milk, with a gas by-product of methane gas.

Biogas can fuel Combined Heat & Power (CHP) engines to provide both electrical power and useable heat and/or cooling.

The quantity/tonnage of waste and its energy density, called Bio Methane Potential (BMP), will dictate the quantity of biogas available. This then determines the subsequent kW of energy that can be produced from any given waste biomass, commonly referred to as feedstock.1

Organic waste is made up of natural compounds, principally carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. These natural compounds are essentially organic batteries storing energy which all comes from the sun and is converted into animal or plant matter. This embedded and renewable energy can be recovered in the most efficient method using the natural process of Anaerobic Digestion (AD). This is illustrated under using a glucose molecule which 'digests' as follows.2

C6H12O6 digests to 3CH4 + 3CO2

The methane ($CH4$) gas is similar to 'natural gas' from the North Sea which comes from (old) biomass that was buried and broken down under AD conditions over thousands of years.

Pyrolysis

Pyro = heat, lysis = breakdown into parts.

Pyrolysis is a thermochemical decomposition of organic material at elevated temperatures (around 700 degrees Celsius) in the absence of oxygen.

It involves the simultaneous change of chemical composition and physical phase and is irreversible. Because no oxygen is present the material does not combust but the chemical compounds (i.e., cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin) that make up that material thermally decompose into combustible gases (syngas) and charcoal (or Biochar).

Syngas, or synthesis gas, is a fuel gas mixture consisting primarily of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and very often some carbon dioxide.

The syngas can fuel Combined Heat & Power (CHP) engines to provide both electrical power and usable heat and/or cooling.

The quantity/tonnage of waste and its calorific value will determine the quantity of syngas available. This then determines the subsequent KW of energy that can be produced from any given waste biomass, commonly referred to as feedstock.

NB. In both AD and pyrolysis technologies there is no oxygen, so no flame i.e. no incineration.

Nutrient Recovery Technology

Organic wastes contain small quantities of valuable nutrients being Nitrates, Phosphates and Potash (N, P and K).

Often these wastes are disposed of by land spreading which recycles the nutrients back to the land where they came from. Incineration is also used simply to get rid of the waste.

This technology can recover as usable fertilizers the Nitrates and separately the Phosphates and potash from organic wastes.

The remaining liquid can be cleaned up to potable water standards. By concentrating these nutrients (slurry is $93-97\%$ water) we add value and dramatically reduce both emissions and costs of land spreading disposal.

Nutrient Recovery Technology

Organic wastes contain small quantities of valuable nutrients being Nitrates, Phosphates and Potash (N, P and K).

Often these wastes are disposed of by land spreading which recycles the nutrients back to the land where they came from. Incineration is also used simply to get rid of the waste.

This technology can recover as usable fertilizers the Nitrates and separately the Phosphates and potash from organic wastes.

The remaining liquid can be cleaned up to potable water standards. By concentrating these nutrients (slurry is $93-97\%$ water) we add value and dramatically reduce both emissions and costs of land spreading disposal.

Reduction and Recycling of Waste Materials

Executive Summary

This feasibility study evaluates the establishment of a facity that transforms waste
‘materials such as plastic, glass, and bio-waste into useful products such as shredded
plastics, organic compost, and eco-bricks. The project aims to reduce landfil waste while
{generating valuable and sustainable products for both community and industrial use.

The company, Markell Machineries Manufacturing, has been registered since 2001 and
already has 30+ clients nationwide, proving its technical capability and market trust.
Findings show the project is technically possible, marketable, and financially sustainable.

Introduction
Purpose: To assess the viability of converting waste int useful penlicte that ean eenve
both industrial and community needs.

Objectives:
= Reduce landfill waste by recycling plastic, glass, and bio-waste materials.
= Produce products from waste resources.

• Promote sustainability while creating profitable business opportunities.
  ~ Create employment,

Technical Feasibility
By-Products and Applications:

• Shredded Plastic: Sold to industries for recycled plastic pellets or can be added to brick
  ‘components.

• Granulated Glass: Sold as raw material for other industries or can be added to brick
  ‘components.

• Granulated Bio-waste: Used as organic fertilizer or compost for agriculture.

• Refined Sand: Provides fine aggregates for construction or resale.

• Bricks: Can be used on pathways or resale,

• CHB: Can be used for construction or resale.

List of Machines

Plastic Granulator – Shreds plastic waste that can be used as a component in making bricks.

Bio-waste Granulator – Granulates bio-waste materials.

Bottle Crusher – Converts glass bottles into granules.

Sand Vibrator – Refines sand by separating stones and impurities.

Vibrator Separator – Pre-screens materials (plastic, biowaste, etc.) to reduce sediments like rocks and metals that may damage the blades of the granulators.

Brick Compactor – Mechanical press that compresses bricks to make them compact.

CHB Maker – Forms conventional hollow blocks.

Paddle Mixer – Mixes the raw materials (sand, cement, and aggregates) for producing bricks and hollow blocks

Gantry Mixer – Mixes biodegradable materials to produce compost or organic fertilizer.

Additional Notes on Machines:

• The machines are designed to be user-friendly and easy to operate, requiring minimal technical training.
• Their design may be considered more primitive compared to imported high-tech machines, but this makes them affordable, low-maintenance, and durable.
• All equipment is proudly Filipino-made, supporting local engineering and innovation.
• Machines do not require electrical supply, making them suitable for remote and rural areas with limited or fluctuating electricity.
• This technology is very important for funding support as it addresses today’s pressing issues such as flooding, since unmanaged waste materials clog waterways and worsen flood risks.