Companies Convert Waste to Fuel

Companies in Iowa and Connecticut are working together on a power system run by internal combustion engines burning hydrogen gas made from all types of waste products.

The agreement announced Wednesday uses Wilton, Conn.-based Startech Environmental Corp.’s (OTCBB:STHK) plasma conversion systems to break down waste into hydrogen fuel and other environmentally benign byproducts. Sources of waste include landfill material, medical waste and animal waste.

Algona-based Hydrogen Engine Center Inc. (OTCBB:HYEG) will incorporate its hydrogen burning internal combustion engines to generate electricity or to run machinery.

Michael Schiltz, HEC vice president of engine development, said the systems could be used by landfills, for example, to convert garbage into fuel that the landfill can use in engines to generate electricity for its operation or to run engines in its heavy equipment.

‘The waste is contaminating water sources and doing a lot of negative things and here we have an opportunity to make it a positive,’ Schiltz said. ‘Here’s an opportunity for us to take a renewable, a waste product, turn it into a fuel and produce power, therefore lowering our dependency on foreign oil.’

HEC plans to deliver a hydrogen-powered generator system to Startech in May. The combined Startech and HEC waste remediation and power generation package will be made available globally for a wide variety of applications.

Stephen Landa, vice president of sales for Startech, said the idea of using hydrogen for vehicles and stationary carbonless power is one of the reasons for the alliance.

‘A pound of hydrogen contains more than twice as much energy as a pound of jet fuel,’ he said. ‘Hydrogen produced by Startech’s plasma converters can be used in HEC’s engines to produce absolutely pristine carbonless power.’

Startech’s plasma converters subject waste to heat intense enough to break apart the molecular bonds of waste material and reduce it to its elemental components.

The principal byproducts of plasma conversion are a synthesis fuel gas that can be used to make hydrogen or methanol and a nontoxic stone, which can be used as an abrasive or in the construction industry.