SEE Tech Talk Series

Waste as Resources

Date: 11 December 2021 (Saturday)

Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 nn

Format: Online via Zoom (Remarks: Zoom link will be provided to registrants)

Language: English

Rundown:

About the Presentations

Transforming Lignocellulosic Waste for High-Value Products to Promote a Carbon-Neutral Economy

Dr. Jason LAM, Assistant Professor

Abstract

By 2050, Hong Kong and many parts of the world have pledged to decouple with fossil resources as part of the climate change mitigation action. As we begin to fulfil our energy need with green H₂ and other promising renewable energy sources, then what about our chemical demands? Lignocellulosic Biomass is the most abundant, and the only, renewable carbon source. Catalytic valorisation of lignocellulosic biomass for chemical and fuel production thus serves as an important strategy to address our carbon-neutral goal towards a sustainable future.

This talk aims to introduce and discuss how lignocellulosic biomass can address our mission towards our sustainable goals. We will identify and discuss some of the possible biomass-resources that can be gathered in Hong Kong, and the possible technologies that are applicable to transform them for chemical or liquid carbon-neutral fuel production.

Reducing Transmission of Novel Coronavirus and Other Infectious Diseases Using Food Waste-derived Medical Textiles via Electrospinning for Healthcare Apparel and Personal Protective Equipment

Dr. Carol LIN, Associate Professor

Abstract

Since the outbreak of Coronaviruses (COVID-19) pandemic, personal protective equipment (PPE) is in pressing need to reduce the risk of viral transmission in healthcare settings.  Severe shortages in the global supply chain of PPE was observed due to an unprecedented surge in global demand. Moreover, massive increase of medical waste due to enforcement of infection control measures. Therefore, technology-integrated biorefineries focus on the material recovery approach to resolve the twin problems of the global waste burden and severe PPE storages is an evolving area where research and development is urgently needed. 

This talk will focus on the recent progress to develop food waste-derived non-woven medical textiles via electrospinning for healthcare apparel to limit the transmission of COVID-19. The proposed work signifies a new direction in the field of engineering hydrophobic surfaces with the combination of electrospinning and electrospraying techniques, and the use of biodegradable polymers derived from waste stream. In addition, environmental and economic impacts/benefits associated with this new sustainable bio-based medical textile production methodology will be evaluated.

Sustainable Waste Management and Waste to Energy

Dr. Lin ZHANG, Assistant Professor

Abstract

The increasing amount of municipal solid waste (MSW) is not only a challenge to our society, but also an opportunity for regional sustainable development. We estimate the energy potential of waste through two different waste disposal methods, landfills and incineration, by the years 2030 and 2060, using the Greater Bay Area of China as an example. Also, we estimate the carbon dioxide emission reductions by energy recovery through the two disposal methods. Our results show that the maximum potential of electricity production from MSW for the GBA could reach 31,346 GWh by 2030 and 77,748 GWh by 2060. Based on these results, we discuss the differences in energy generation efficiency among cities and offer advice to policy makers to mitigate the gap. We suggest that incineration is preferrable to landfills from aspects of both energy recovery and climate concerns. Furthermore, municipal governments should accelerate waste classification to lower the heating value of MSW in order to increase efficiency.

All are welcome!