How many ENSO bottles does it take to power a light bulb?

How much energy can the off gassed methane from an ENSO bottle generate?

To calculate how much energy can be created from ENSO bottles take the weight of the ENSO bottle multiply it by % carbon, multiply by 1.33 (molecular weight of CH4 16 / molecular weight of carbon 12 – this converts the carbon to methane), then multiply by 22.4 (L/g – ideal gas law).

(bottle wt * bottle carbon %) * (methane mass 16 / carbon mass 12) * 22.4 L/g = vol. methane per bottle

(19.2 gram * 62.5%) * (1.33) * 22.4 = vol. of methane per bottle

(12) * (1.33) * 22.4 = 357.50 L * (1 m3/100 L) = .3575 m3

Once we know the volume of methane per bottle we need to convert that into how much energy can be created per volume of methane. The Thermal energy content of methane is approximately 26.73 – 32.7 kj/m3 therefore about (26.73 + 32.7) / 2 = 29.715 kJ/m3

.3575 m3 * 29.715 kJ/m3 = 10.623 kJ

1kJ/second = 1kW and considering a 100W light bulb:

10.623 kJ = 10.623 kW seconds * (1000 W/1 kW) * (1 hr/3600 s) = 2.95 W hr

To light a 100W light bulb for 1 hour would require 33.88 ENSO bottles:

100 W * (1/2.95 W hr) = 33.88

Let’s take a look at the real number of plastic bottles ending up in landfills. In 2006, approximately 31 billion single serve water bottles were not recycled and ended up in landfills. These bottles if they were biodegradable could result in approximately 1 million hours of light for a 100W light bulb.

31,000,000,000 bottles * (1 hr/33.88 bottles) = 914,759 hrs

How would the energy compare if I’m using CFL (Compact Fluorescent Lamps)?

By adding additional energy efficiency solutions the value of using methane from landfills really shines. Using compact fluorescent lamps vs incandescent the energy efficiency would quadruple. Compared to incandescent lamps, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), when used properly have the following advantages:

• Last up to 10 times longer
• Use about one-fourth the energy
• Produce 90% less heat, while producing more light per watt

The table below compares the wattage of commonly available incandescent lamps and the wattage of a CFL that will provide similar light levels. So by using a 25W CFL bulbs and using the same 100W of energy from the methane off gassed from ENSO bottles we essentially quadruple the total light output.

Incandescent

Wattage

CFL

Wattage

60 15
75 20
100 25