Why Plasma? Evaluating New Energy-from-waste Technologies

Authors

  • Jeffrey Surma S4 Energy Solutions, LLC

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13052/dgaej2156-3306.2522

Abstract

The waste that society generates can be converted into various
energy products using new conversion technology. This article highlights
the benefits of one promising conversion technology known as plasma
gasification, which can be used to generate clean fuels, chemicals and
clean electric power. A comparison of plasma gasification to conventional
gasification technology is also discussed. Implementation of plasma gas-
ification has the potential to dramatically reduce emissions, including
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, relative to conventional waste disposal
and treatment methods. The plasma gasification process is a significant
move to a more sustainable approach to waste treatment and renewable
energy production.

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Author Biography

Jeffrey Surma, S4 Energy Solutions, LLC

Jeffrey Surma is President and Chief Executive Officer of S4 En-
ergy Solutions. Prior to joining S4, Mr. Surma was a senior research
engineer with Battelle at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
(PNNL), where he led multi-million dollar research projects in the area
of high-level radioactive waste vitrification, electrochemical processing
and plasma processing of waste. Mr. Surma led a multi-institutional
team involving the Plasma Fusion Center at MIT to develop plasma
technologies that have been commercialized through InEnTec, where he
was a founder and CEO. Mr. Surma holds 25 US patents and 15 inter-
national patents and is a four-time recipient of the prestigious R&D 100
award for his work on plasma processing and associated technologies.
Mr. Surma holds a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Minnesota
and a M.S. in Chemical Engineering from Montana State University. He
can be contacted via email at jsurma@s4energysolutions.com.

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Published

2010-03-20

How to Cite

Surma, J. . (2010). Why Plasma? Evaluating New Energy-from-waste Technologies. Distributed Generation &Amp; Alternative Energy Journal, 25(2), 18–32. https://doi.org/10.13052/dgaej2156-3306.2522

Issue

2010: Vol 25 Iss 2

Section

Articles