Urban Biomining
︎ Creator: Elaine Zhang
︎ Supervisor: Peter Yeadon
In a speculative future, urban biomining transforms cities into self-sustaining ecosystems for resource recovery by integrating biofilters and microbial cultures into neighborhood waste collection systems.
Trash would be deposited in public collection points lined with biofilters, where microbes would initiate the breakdown of mixed waste, including metals, plastics, organics, and other materials. These microbes would start to secrete acids and metabolic byproducts to leach valuable metals like copper, aluminum, and rare earth elements while also breaking down plastics and organics into useful byproducts like biogas or biofuels.
Periodically, waste from these collection points would be transported via an underground pneumatic system of vacuum pipes to treatment plants near existing landfills. In these plants, the remaining waste would undergo advanced processes, such as anaerobic digestion, aerobic digestion, and thermal depolymerization. These methods would convert organic waste into electricity, biogas, fertilizers, and even synthetic fuels, while plastics could be processed into valuable chemical feedstocks or energy.
This system addresses the issue of cross waste stream contamination, streamlining the process while reducing the environmental impact of incineration and landfilling. Smart sensors would monitor every stage, optimizing resource recovery and ensuring efficiency. Urban biomining offers a holistic and sustainable solution to waste management, turning diverse waste streams into valuable resources. Challenges remain in optimizing microbial processes to handle the variety and complexity of urban waste, but the potential for transforming waste into resources is immense.
This work was discussed in NYC-Based Industrial Design Class Introduces RISD Students to Biodesign Pioneers.
︎ Supervisor: Peter Yeadon
In a speculative future, urban biomining transforms cities into self-sustaining ecosystems for resource recovery by integrating biofilters and microbial cultures into neighborhood waste collection systems.
Trash would be deposited in public collection points lined with biofilters, where microbes would initiate the breakdown of mixed waste, including metals, plastics, organics, and other materials. These microbes would start to secrete acids and metabolic byproducts to leach valuable metals like copper, aluminum, and rare earth elements while also breaking down plastics and organics into useful byproducts like biogas or biofuels.
Periodically, waste from these collection points would be transported via an underground pneumatic system of vacuum pipes to treatment plants near existing landfills. In these plants, the remaining waste would undergo advanced processes, such as anaerobic digestion, aerobic digestion, and thermal depolymerization. These methods would convert organic waste into electricity, biogas, fertilizers, and even synthetic fuels, while plastics could be processed into valuable chemical feedstocks or energy.
This system addresses the issue of cross waste stream contamination, streamlining the process while reducing the environmental impact of incineration and landfilling. Smart sensors would monitor every stage, optimizing resource recovery and ensuring efficiency. Urban biomining offers a holistic and sustainable solution to waste management, turning diverse waste streams into valuable resources. Challenges remain in optimizing microbial processes to handle the variety and complexity of urban waste, but the potential for transforming waste into resources is immense.
This work was discussed in NYC-Based Industrial Design Class Introduces RISD Students to Biodesign Pioneers.
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