How to Reuse Waste for Alternative Fuels

The reusing of waste for alternative fuels is finally coming into its own. Reusing waste is a way of finding new sources of energy to replace the old ones, such as petroleum products. The field of alternative fuels is taking us into new frontiers every day. Reuse of waste depends on the type of waste.

Agricultural Waste

Agricultural waste is currently being used as a source of alternative fuel for heating. What were once corn stalks and corn cobs that were left in the farm fields to rot and compost is now being harvested, ground up and compressed through an extruder into solid fuel as pellets or bricks. Food processing waste, such as nut shells and stone fruit pits can be put through the same treatment as corn plant waste and provide fuel for heat.

Wood Waste

Sawdust, which is a waste product in wood processing for lumber, was once a neglected eyesore for wood processing facilities. Similarly to agricultural waste, it is mixed with water and extruded under high pressure into tiny, uniformly shaped pellets for use in wood pellet stoves. The stoves include a burn chamber and a fan to facilitate efficient burn with only a very small amount of particulate matter escaping from the chimney and little ash to dispose of.  

Cooking Oil Waste

At one time, restaurants were left to pay for the disposal of their used cooking oil once it passed its prime. Today, this same cooking oil is filtered and burned as fuel in vehicles with diesel engines. To do this, a kit is installed in the vehicle to adapt to the use of the cooking oil. The oil must be warmed up before the engine can burn it.