Overview
The 2005 WtERT Fall Meeting brought together leading experts from academia, industry, and government to discuss advances in waste-to-energy (WtE), sustainable waste management, and resource recovery.
Held at Columbia University, this meeting contributed to shaping early global dialogue on integrating energy recovery into modern waste management systems.
Objectives
- Promote scientific exchange on Waste-to-Energy technologies
- Share international best practices and case studies
- Discuss environmental, economic, and policy frameworks
- Strengthen collaboration across global stakeholders
Detailed Agenda
The full agenda included keynote presentations, list of participants, international sessions, technical discussions, and panel exchanges covering global waste management challenges and innovations:
Speakers & Presentations
International Session 1
- Dirk Eeraerts (Business Development Manager US Office, Keppel Seghers Belgium NV) | Engineering and operating feedback on the Keppel Seghers Water-Cooled Grate and Prism
- Prof. Mikko Hupa (Abo Academi University, Finland) | Fluidized bed combustion of biomass and waste-derived fuels: Current status and challenges
- Prof. Y.M. Chang (National Taipei University of Technology) | Waste-to-energy from municipal solid waste incineration in Taiwan
International Session 2
- Dr. K.V. Rajeshwari (Fellow, Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), New Delhi) | Management of solid wastes in India – Status and initiatives
- Prof. Takashi Nakamura (Tohoku University) | Fly ash treatment in Japan and oxygen-enriched WTE in Sendai
- Dr. Juergen Vehlow (Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe GmbH) | Waste management in the European Union: landfill ban and biogenic waste
International Session 3
- Dr. Antonio Bonomo (ASM Brescia and CEWEP) | Integrated waste and energy management in Brescia
- Nicolo Dubini (President, Pirelli Ambiente, Milan) | MSW to high-grade fuel for co-firing applications
- Prof. Stefano Consonni (Energy Engineering, Politecnico di Milano) | Waste management and WTE facilities in Italy
Research & Innovation Session
- Dr. Ralf Koralewska (Martin GmbH) | Industrial-scale validation of CFD simulation in WTE systems
- Prof. Marco Castaldi (Columbia University) | WTE research at Columbia University
- Prof. Mario Grosso (Politecnico di Milano) | Alternative strategies for energy recovery from MSW
- Prof. Nickolas J. Themelis (Columbia University) | Thermal treatment technologies and fly ash vitrification
Special Session: Waste Management in New York City
- Prof. Paul Brandt-Rauf (Chair, Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University) | Health risks comparison: landfill vs WTE
- Dr. Nikhil Krishnan (Applied Materials and Earth Institute, Columbia University) | Life cycle assessment of waste management options for NYC
- Mr. Jack Lauber (NYS DEC, retired) | Evolution of WTE facilities in New York State
- Mr. Ramon Cruz (Policy Analyst, Environmental Defense) | Waste transport impacts in NYC
- Ms. Adrian Hill (MPA, Environmental Science and Policy, Columbia University) | Innovative waste disposal case studies
Poster Session
Graduate research presentations included:
- Mike Hyland: Use of WTE Ash in Remediation of Bark Camp Mine
- Tracy Jackson: Greenhouse gas reforming over Pt catalyst
- Eilhan Kwon: Waste tire decomposition kinetics and mechanism development
- Scott Kaufman: Fisher-Tropsch of biogas over novel reactor substrates
- Shang Hsiu Lee: Research on abatement of corrosion in WTE combustion chambers
- Masato Nakamura: Transport and Reaction Phenomena on WTE Grates
- Adam Penque: Removal of Chlorine form WTE Fly Ash
- Werner Sunk: Improving Recovery and Quality of Metals Recovered from WTE Ash
- Priscilla Ulloa: Life Cycle Analysis of WTE and Landfilling for NYC
WtERT Dinner and Awards
The WtERT 2005 Dinner provided an opportunity for networking and recognition among participants.
Sponsorship by the Solid Waste Processing Division of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) is gratefully acknowledged.
WtERT Service Awards
Presentation by Prof. N.J. Themelis (WtERT Chair) and Mr. Ted Michaels (President, IWSA) of the WtERT Distinguished Service Awards to:
- Ms. Maria Zannes for service to IWSA and WtERT
- Saugus WTE of Wheelabrator Technologies for completing its thirtieth year of service to the people of Massachusetts (received by Mr. Bruce Manning, Regional VP, New England, and Mr. Jim McIver, Manager of Saugus WTE).
2005 SWPD/ASME Scholarship Awards
Presentation by Mr. Len Grillo, Chair SWPD/ASME and Mr.Amit Chattopadhyay (Manager of Thermal Systems, Malcolm Pirnie) of the 2005 SWPD/ASME Scholarship Awards to:
- Ms. Katherine Mouzakis (Undergrad.), and Mr. Judd Adam Larson (Grad.), University of Florida (Advisor: Timothy Townsend)
- Mr. Eilhan Kwon (Grad.), Columbia University (Advisor: Marco Castaldi)
- Mr. Shang-Hsiu Lee (Grad.), Columbia University (Advisor: N.J. Themelis)
Photo Credits: Masato Nakamura
Technical Visit – Hempstead WTE Facility
Nearly fifty participants attended a technical visit to the Hempstead Waste-to-Energy facility on October 19, 2005.
The visit provided practical insights into plant operations and real-world implementation of WtE technologies.
Transportation sponsorship by Covanta Energy is gratefully acknowledged.
