Plasma Plant turns your old junk into electricity, which can then be used to create more junk

The transmutation of garbage into energy is a particularly modern form of alchemy. We've seen it done on a smaller scale in the past, but now a company called Geoplasma is assembling the country's first plasma refuse plant in St. Lucie County, Florida. Scheduled to go online by 2011, the plant will process 1,500 tons of garbage a day, adding 60 megawatts to the power grid -- enough energy to power 50,000 homes. The plant works by vaporizing refuse with a 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit stream of plasma. The organic components (food, fluids, paper) create a pressurized gas that is then used to turn a turbine, while any inorganic refuse (metals) that may be present condenses, later to be collected for industrial uses. But will it power a Flux Capacitor?

[Via Inhabitat]

[kontaxis @ Nov 12th 2008 8:58PM]

Didn't read the story, but that girl on the left is pretty cute...

[DT @ Nov 12th 2008 9:08PM]

That's Claudia Wells, and that scene is from Back to the Future Part I... the same scene occurs in Part II, but with Elizabeth Shue as Marty's girlfriend.


God I'm a loser.

[Messymeese @ Nov 12th 2008 9:09PM]

Let's hope this isn't the first time you've seen her... Back to the Future? I mean, c'mon, go rent them or, better yet, buy them if you haven't seen them yet...

[Flashpoint @ Nov 12th 2008 9:20PM]

This is definitely a great weak for alternative energy ideas...after that nuclear self contained power cell.


I assume that the people who came up with this one did the math and found that using the energy to actually create the plasma stream doesn't use as much energy as is being created. My guess is they are using ultrahigh high voltage, to create arc plasma.

It sounds like a fantastic idea and should help destroy garbage - albeit at horrible smells. But, be warned, this sounds like a great place to completely dispose of bodies. And we all know that guys working in "sanitation" aren't always the savory bunch.

[NewJohnny @ Nov 16th 2008 3:44AM]

@Flashpoint: I think it's ok if it uses more energy than it puts out. The real purpose here is to empty our landfills, and that's worth spending money on.

[o29 @ Nov 12th 2008 9:48PM]

If my calculations are correct, when this baby hits eighty-eight miles per hour... you're gonna see some serious shit.

[iEye @ Nov 12th 2008 10:18PM]

Oh Elizabeth Shue,

I had a crush on her dancing in "Adventures in Babysitting"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nly-bfguf4k

[Paul @ Nov 12th 2008 11:10PM]

I refuse to see iEye ranked highly, please vote down.

[SimbaDogg @ Nov 12th 2008 11:56PM]

since we're off topic here, i really hope they release the trilogy on blu ray. i'd be a day 1 buy if they could release the soundtrack of the films w/ the box set too...i love me some huey lewis n' the news

[absinthe party @ Nov 13th 2008 7:27AM]

I want to swim in a pool filled with Elizabeth Shues.

[Tarnation @ Nov 13th 2008 8:25AM]

121 gigawatts what was i thinking.

[blueangel00100 @ Nov 12th 2008 8:58PM]

Michael J. Fox/Back to the Future FTW!!!

[tom @ Nov 12th 2008 9:08PM]

Great movie :D

[Gene @ Nov 12th 2008 11:02PM]

i really like the title "turns your old junk into electricity, which can then be used to create more junk" lol~

btw, good movie~

[t-o89 @ Nov 12th 2008 11:55PM]

its your kids Marty YOUR KIDS!!!!

[Precurse @ Nov 13th 2008 9:49AM]

mmmmmiichheael jjjf oooxx iiiiiisiss awwweeessooomeee!

[Mike @ Nov 12th 2008 9:01PM]

1.21 Jiggawatts!

[ctbear @ Nov 12th 2008 9:28PM]

Great Scott!

[El Capitaine @ Nov 12th 2008 10:07PM]

Whoa this is heavy...

Weight has nothing to do with it!

[Funke, Tobias Dr. @ Nov 13th 2008 6:02AM]

There's that word again; "heavy." Why are things so heavy in the future? Is there a problem with the Earth's gravitational pull?

[Flashpoint @ Nov 13th 2008 8:38AM]

WHAT THE HELL IS A Jiggawatt????!

[Jeff @ Nov 12th 2008 9:02PM]

60 megawatts definately isn't 1.21 jigowatts

[howarchaic @ Nov 12th 2008 9:03PM]

Obviously not, as flux capicitors require 1.21 gigawatts. Over the course of a couple of years you could charge one up though...

[Marty McFly @ Nov 12th 2008 9:04PM]

Roads? Where we're going, there are no roads.

[AJ in the East Bay @ Nov 12th 2008 9:27PM]

I thought it was "Roads? Where we're going, we don't NEED roads."

[Funke, Tobias Dr. @ Nov 12th 2008 9:56PM]

It is, in fact, Reagan quoted it in the 1986 State of the Union.

http://www.c-span.org/executive/transcript.asp?cat=current_event&code=bush_admin&year=1986

Best movie of all time.

[AJ in the East Bay @ Nov 12th 2008 10:11PM]

Thanks, Tobias. I scratched my head there for a moment.

[cstarbird @ Nov 13th 2008 7:07PM]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mo0p3Aem3X4

[Messymeese @ Nov 12th 2008 9:04PM]

Yay, I don't have to steal Plutonium from terrorists anymore to power my time-machine... Organic matter FTW!

[anebg @ Nov 12th 2008 9:12PM]

"But will it power a Flux Capacitor?"
... is this some sort of 'will it play crisis?' in engineering (or whatever the field may be?)

[ctbear @ Nov 12th 2008 9:19PM]

you must not be honest.... -_-'

[anebg @ Nov 12th 2008 9:57PM]

I hath forgotten how depressing was to be low ranked... Alas endgadget community, i have failed you!

[computer.dude.28 @ Nov 12th 2008 11:51PM]

Note to anebg:
Before commenting on a blog, read the title, and take note of the correct spelling.

[ScOObyDoo @ Nov 12th 2008 9:14PM]

Lol... This thing was meant to be online in 2 years back in 2006...

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-09-09-fla-county-trash_x.htm

[kornation @ Nov 12th 2008 9:15PM]

ummm, whut?

I have a refuse to electricity plant within view of my window (its quite good looking actually, and doesnt stink) - its been there for 12 years.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyseley_Energy_from_Waste_Plant

how is this any different?

[Messymeese @ Nov 12th 2008 9:19PM]

This one powers twice as many homes.

[James Gnann @ Nov 12th 2008 9:47PM]

Yours is an incineration plant, meaning that they burn the trash there.

This is a plasma plant. They superheat the trash enough to convert it into a plasma which they use to power their generators.

At least, that's how I remember the StarTech(or something like that) plasma power plant works when I read about it 3 years ago.

[ctbear @ Nov 12th 2008 9:18PM]

It greatly saddens me how many people haven't seen this trilogy...esp. in a tech blog
Even more so, they removed the ride at Universal Studios Hollywood! =/

[Messymeese @ Nov 12th 2008 9:21PM]

I know, but what's sad is that I don't own the trilogy, I've just seen it quite a few times.

[ctbear @ Nov 12th 2008 9:24PM]

it's has one of the best sound track composed by someone besides John Williams

[Funke, Tobias Dr. @ Nov 12th 2008 9:57PM]

What? DId they become assholes or something?

[Valicore @ Nov 12th 2008 10:00PM]

Damn it, I hate to admit it but I love that series too... I think the reason they the ride is gone is because of that huge fire that destroyed the backlot at Universal Studios and part of the park itself.

[ctbear @ Nov 12th 2008 10:05PM]

hmm...It's not because of the fire. The plan to replace Back to The Future Ride with The Simpson's Ride was already established before that. Furthermore, the backlot is no where close to the ride. The backlot is all the way down in the valley whereas most of the actual theme park is up on the mountain.

[iEye @ Nov 12th 2008 11:17PM]

you slobs do know what Ghostbusters is all about, right?

And you all need to see Tremors, the original with Kevin Bacon.... good movie... mmmm bacon

[MikeWard1701 @ Nov 13th 2008 3:48AM]

@ctbear

I agree, Alan Silvestri is one the best filmscore composers I've ever heard. John Williams is great n all, but people seem to think hes the only filmscore composer! Other personal favourites include; David Arnold, Jerry Goldsmith, Hans Zimmer, and Harry Gregson-Williams.

[Backlin @ Nov 12th 2008 9:18PM]

Maxis should get some type of royalty.

[BigD145 @ Nov 12th 2008 9:27PM]

Maxis? What Maxis? There is no Maxis. All is EA. Resistance is futile.

[sip @ Nov 13th 2008 1:10AM]

Sim city came to my mind too... but I'm pretty sure they didn't come up with this idea

[Engadgetier @ Nov 12th 2008 9:18PM]

I soooo want a pair of those sunglasses.....

[ctbear @ Nov 12th 2008 9:22PM]

and I want them futuristic nikes...