Refuse Derived Fuel Gasification Possibilities in Small Scale Units

Fossil fuels use reduction and waste recycling are two great challenges facing our society nowadays. A concept intended to solve both problems is Waste-to-Energy (WtE) approach (Brunner and Rechberger in Waste Manag 37: 3–12, 2015). The routes to the energy recovery can be grouped as thermo-chemical and biochemical approaches and the selection of the WtE technologies also depends on the waste composition. Waste sources can be industrial and agricultural production and urban regions but growing attention is paid to municipal solid waste in OECD countries (Hoornweg and Bhada-Tata in What a waste: a global review of solid waste management. World Bank, Washington, DC 2012) consisting dominantly…

Development of national climate and adaptation policy in Latvia

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse the development and character of climate policy in Latvia with a special emphasis on policy instruments.Design/methodology/approachIn order to implement policies and measures effectively and monitor progress in achieving its mitigation targets, Latvia uses a wide mix of policy instruments, including regulations (e.g. environmental impact assessment procedures, environmental permits and standards, restrictions and prohibitions), economic and fiscal instruments (the natural resources tax, the excise tax for energy resources, user's charges), and voluntary agreements, also raising public awareness.FindingsThe combination of the policy instruments …

Valorization of Marine Waste: Use of Industrial By-Products and Beach Wrack Towards the Production of High Added-Value Products

Biomass is defined as organic matter from living organisms represented in all kingdoms. It is recognized to be an excellent source of proteins, polysaccharides and lipids and, as such, embodies a tailored feedstock for new products and processes to apply in green industries. The industrial processes focused on the valorization of terrestrial biomass are well established, but marine sources still represent an untapped resource. Oceans and seas occupy over 70% of the Earth’s surface and are used intensively in worldwide economies through the fishery industry, as logistical routes, for mining ores and exploitation of fossil fuels, among others. All these activities produce waste. The other sou…

Potential of biomethane from washed ashore algae in gulf of Riga

Small Scale Gasification Application and Perspectives in Circular Economy

Abstract Gasification is the process converting solid fuels as coal and organic plant matter, or biomass into combustible gas, called syngas. Gasification is a thermal conversion process using carbonaceous fuel, and it differs substantially from other thermal processes such as incineration or pyrolysis. The process can be used with virtually any carbonaceous fuel. It is an endothermic thermal conversion process, with partial oxidation being the dominant feature. Gasification converts various feedstock including waste to a syngas. Instead of producing only heat and electricity, synthesis gas produced by gasification may be transformed into commercial products with higher value as transport f…