Burn trash, make energy...but make sure you're using corrosion-resistant materials.

One of the more interesting renewable energy schemes to come across the table in the last few decades is the “waste-to-energy” plant, that is, facilities that take trash as input and provide energy as output.  It sounds idyllic—you’re getting rid of something that has no use (and presents disposal problems) and using it to produce needed energy.  You get rid of a problem and you fill a need.  Of course, the challenge is all in the details.  For example, waste contaminants such as sulfur and chlorine will speed corrosion, especially at elevated temperatures.  That’s one reason researchers want to identify corrosion-resistant materials for that type of environment.  To consistently prepare samples for testing, the researchers gave the metals an ultrasonic cleaning prior to environmental exposure.

For further information visit www.seas.columbia.edu.

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