How good are the scrubbers?

[Glom]

We all know paper recycling is a big con that causes more environmental harm through its heavy use of bleach and energy than simply using fresh paper. Wouldn't it be better if the stuff were incinerated? It could then generate electricity and result in a net energy gain, rather than a net energy loss. Hell, the paper factories could be powered by the stuff. The only problem is of course the air quality one. The particulates, sulphur and nitrogen compounds will have to be scrubbed. How good are scrubbers these days?

On a related note, wouldn't the same be true for this compostible material? There's a big thing about compost heaps these days as a way of reducing domestic waste volume. If the stuff were incinerated, it could generate electricity.

[Jim]

We all know paper recycling is a big con that causes more environmental harm through its heavy use of bleach and energy than simply using fresh paper. ...

Sources, please.

These disgaree with your statement:
http://www.environmentaldefense.org/documents/2602_QArecycledPaper.pdf
http://www.ofee.gov/recycled/cal-index.htm
http://www.wasteonline.org.uk/resources/InformationSheets/Paper.htm
http://www.treecycle.com/info.html

... the paper factories could be powered by the stuff. ...

Many currently do just that, using unusable paper and wood.

... The only problem is of course the air quality one. The particulates, sulphur and nitrogen compounds will have to be scrubbed. How good are scrubbers these days?

That's a fairly significant problem, and one that is being addressed by recycling. Check that second link to calculate the energy and environmental impact of recycling.

Scrubbers, btw, are 90-99% efficient, but that just gives you pollution in another form... waste water.

On a related note, wouldn't the same be true for this compostible material? There's a big thing about compost heaps these days as a way of reducing domestic waste volume. ...

That helps with domestic waste. The demand for compost isn't big enough to make it the solution to all - or even most - paper waste.

... If the stuff were incinerated, it could generate electricity.

But, there are still wastes being generated. Incinerators do an excellent job converting straight hydrocarbons to water vapor and carbon dioxide (both efficient greenhouse gases, of course), but cannot handle sulfur, nitrogen, calcium, cadmium, mercury...

[Glom]

A chemist friend of mine who works in environmental risk assessment said so. Jay also said so.

[Moose]

A chemist friend of mine who works in environmental risk assessment said so.

Glom, what would you say to someone who made a claim about the supposed illegitimacy of the Apollo flights and cited their "rocket scientist friend" having said so?

Jay also said so.

Where?

Come on, Glom, you know better than this.

[frogesque]

Glom: I'm having extreme difficulty taking anything seriously after reading the title of this thread. :wink: :lol:

[Swift]

Glom: I'm having extreme difficulty taking anything seriously after reading the title of this thread. :wink: :lol:
Maybe Glom was referring to this (http://www.badastronomy.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=23668) ?

[captain swoop]

Composting of a type is used to generate electricity.
Bioelectricity uses a fermentation process to produce fuel for the generating plant, what's left is used as compost. It's C neutral.