Waste Resources as a Potential Topic for Integrated Basic Research. Proceedings of a Workshop on Resource Recovery Research Needs Held at Gaithersburg, Maryland on December 10-11, 1979

摘要

The report examines the question of whether the subject of waste resources meets criteria for inclusion in the Integrated Basic Research Program of the National Science Foundation. Two workshops were conducted to address research needs in this area and to acquaint participants, mainly from the university community, with current problems. It was concluded that increasing the utilization of waste resources is an emerging national problem of significant relevance. Recycling could provide substantial quantities of resources, and it is estimated that municipal solid wastes for 1980 can yield 272 million barrels of oil equivalent. Recent legislative proposals relate to the national urgency to conserve and develop new sources of energy and materials, thereby reducing our dependence on foreign sources. Most resource recovery technology has been borrowed from other countries, leaving a vacuum in basic research to which private industry has not responded. The study concludes that advances in basic understanding will improve the nation's ability to utilize its waste resources. Over 20 research topics are suggested together with examples of specific research projects and traditional disciplines which could address those projects.