Demoresearch for Resource and Energy Recovery

The concept of mechanical separation of municipal solid waste (MSW) was initially viewed with great optimism, prompting the use of unit operations taken from other industries without adequate modification. Many plants were built that could not perform adequately. As a result of these experiences, there is very little current interest in resource recovery in general and waste‐to‐energy production in particular by municipalities. The reasons for the lack of success of the resource recovery industry are largely attributable to non‐technical policy issues and organizational constraints. Research is needed to perform the significant development of the unit operations required for their implementation in resource recovery. The experience of the authors in resource recovery research is that such research is very likely to be fruitful. The ability of research to produce devices capable of separating a variety of MSW streams and producing a variety of products must, however, be demonstrated to a wide audience. To solve such problems, the concept of a research‐oriented demonstration facility is suggested. Such demoresearch projects, funded by the federal government, are suggested to be essential to the success of resource recovery.