ME STUDENTS TOUR WASTE-TO-ENERGY DISPOSAL PLANT

On March 3, 2006 Mechanical Engineering students from the ENME 489W Thermal Destruction of Wastes (Pollution and Waste Technology) and course Professor Ashwani Gupta visited the Wheelabrator Baltimore Company that converts domestic Wastes to Energy. The trip was sponsored by the Mechanical Engineering department to expose students to a permanent disposal option of managing wastes that also produces heat and energy. The visit provided the students with real practice, challenges and opportunities of waste to energy (both electric and thermal) conversion.

The plant produces 60 MW of electricity at peak load and sell this electricity to the local grid. This electricity can satisfy needs of 50,000 homes in the area. In addition the hot water is used for heating and cooling buildings in downtown Baltimore area.

Published March 15, 2005