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Doubts over palingenesis process
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Posted on Jan 23 2006
I am in the states for a family medical emergency, so am unable to respond as I would wish to the letters to the editor from Bob Emmett, Lee Anderson, and, I believe, Holani (as I do not have my records with me, I am not sure of the rest of that name….) in regard to the palingenesis process for handling of waste, and my comments thereon.
I spent an hour with one of the representatives of that company, and was unable to determine whether its proprietary mix of chemicals could treat medical waste, hazardous waste, cans, glass, fabric, other metals, tires, discarded refrigerants, all of which—and more—is claimed the company can do, and turn them into concrete blocks or other useful products in one single process, or whether each of those types of waste needs a separate system/process.
Secondly, I have been unable to determine whether a successful, commercial plant using the palingenesis process has been in operation for any significant length of time. My impression was that what is operating is in demonstration mode. Which would make it appear that the CNMI would be used as “guinea pig,” or experimental testing site, for the process.
It is primarily on the basis of these two arguments that I expressed doubt as to the ability of the palingenesis process to improve the method know being used in the CNMI to dispose of its solid waste.
Ruth L. Tighe
Tanapag Village
