Research
Thermal process for elimination of problematic waste materials and producing gas
rich in hydrogen
A Luxembourg SME has developed an environmentally safe process for the
conversion of organic waste materials such as oils, solvents, etc. The
technology is based on a combination of catalytic cracking and water reforming
in only one reaction system. The final product is a gas mixture rich in
hydrogen. Toxic substances like dioxins, furans or sulphur oxides are not
formed. The process was successfully tested on a semi-industrial scale. The SME
is looking for a partner for technical co-operation.
The process is based on a combination of catalytic cracking and water reforming
in only one reaction system. The reaction takes place at atmospheric pressure at
a temperature of about 800°C with the exclusion of air.
The hydrocarbons from the waste materials are decomposed under these conditions
into methane, elemental carbon and hydrogen. The carbon and the methane react
with the water from the raw material or with water added to the process, forming
additional hydrogen and carbon monoxide (carbon gasification/methane reforming
process) .
Chemical elements, such as chlorine, fluorine, sulphur or phosphorus, which are
constituents of some waste (polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) ,
fluorochlorohydrocarbons (FCHC) , pesticides, etc.) , are bound to the catalytic
bed in the form of inorganic salts.
The used catalyst is removed from the lower part of the reactor and is
automatically replaced through a specially developed dosing system in the
reactor's head.
Toxic and dangerous substances such as chlorinated dioxins and furans, nitrogen
or sulphur oxides are not formed in the process (reaction in an oxygen-free
atmosphere, chlorine/sulphur react preferentially with the catalyst) . The
concentration of aromatic substances in the gas produced is low (few ppm or
below the limit of detection) . The greenhouse gas CO2 is preferentially
transformed under the reaction conditions to CO.
The chemical composition of the gas produced as well as the yield depends upon
the composition of the waste and on the water content. Waste material with low
water content produces gas mixtures rich in hydrogen (80- 85Vol.-%) and the
yield can reach 2Nm³ per litre of raw material. The percentage of hydrogen
produced depends directly on the concentration of water contained in the raw
material.
The gas produced finds multiple applications in the field of chemistry as well
as in the field of energy production. It can be used directly without any
pre-treatment in gas motors and HT (high temperature) fuel cells for the
production of electrical energy and heat, or as a raw material in multiple
chemical procedures. The application to Polymer Membrane Electrolytic (PME)
fuel cells is also possible, but would need a preliminary purification of the
hydrogen.
Some examples of waste materials suited for the treatment in the process:
- Spent oils.
- Fats.
- Lubricants.
- Mixtures of oil - soot rubber.
- Paints, varnishes.
- Oils containing PCB.
- Glues.
- Resins.
- Animal and vegetable oils.
- Tars.
- Industrial emulsions.
- Glycols.
- Alcohols.
- Solvents.
- Aromatic hydrocarbons.
- Hydrocarbons containing dioxin/furan.
- Brake liquids.
- Pesticides.
- Herbicides.
- Insecticides.
- Fungicides.
The energy needed for the treatment of one litre of raw material is
approximately 1-1.2kWh.
Main Advantages:
Ecological and economical process:
- Simple and non-expensive installation.
- Toxic substances are not formed.
- Problematic waste is transformed into gas mixtures rich in hydrogen and having
multiple applications.
- The process covers its own energy needs and can be used for energy generation
as well: this brings out the benefit of the sale of the electrical energy
generated. Example: considering that one litre of waste produces 2Nm³ gas
composed of 85Vol.-% hydrogen, 15Vol.-% methane and 5Vol.-% carbon monoxide
(energy content of 4.2kWh/Nm³) and that the treatment of one litre waste
requires 1-1.2kWh, the net energy gain is 7.2-7.4kWh per litre.
- Economy of the taxes paid to the third party for the elimination of the waste
materials.
Innovative Aspects : - The technology transforms organic waste generally
considered as problematic into a process gas that is rich in hydrogen - the fuel
of the future.
- In contrast to the current waste treatment methods, this technology requires
no complex or expensive installation.
- Toxic substances, known for engendering problems in other treatment procedures
are not formed.
- The waste volume is considerably reduced; solid materials that are formed in
the process being non toxic and have practical applications (such as carbon for
tyres, etc.) .
Subject Descriptors : Biochemistry, Energy efficiency, conservation, Energy
conversion, Heat transfer, Ecology
Subject Index Codes : Life Sciences, Energy Saving, Energy Storage, Energy
Transport, Environmental Protection
Subject Class : Biology, medicine, Energy, Environment, IT, telecommunications,
Materials, industrial manufacturing technologies
Market Applications : Nuclear fission, Nuclear fusion, Recycling technologies,
Manufacturing technologies, Manufacturing control systems
Stage of Development : Prototype/demonstrator available for testing
Remarks : IRC Data: LUX-TO-0308-02
Property Rights : Patent(s) granted
Collaboration Sought : Manufacturing agreement, Information exchange/Training,
OtherCollaboration Detail : The SME is looking for a partner in mechanical or
chemical engineering to help finishing the pilot plant and to construct other
plants for the process.
Contact Details
Contact Name : DESSART, Bertrand
Contact Organisation : Luxinnovation GIE, Agence nationale pour la promotion
de l'innovation et de la recherche
Address : 31, Bd Konrad GIE
City : Luxembourg
Postcode : 1115
Country : LUXEMBOURG
Telephone Number : +352-43626321
Fax Number : +352-438120
Electronic Mailbox :
bertrand.dessart@luxinnovation.lu
Recyclable
materials online clearing house
Abstract : A Maltese SME that is involved in e-business and knowledge
management solutions is offering an online clearing-house technology
for recyclable materials. This can be used to facilitate and
co-ordinate trade and grouping of industrial recyclable materials.
Advantages include secure trading platform and online co-operation of
companies in this area. The company is looking for partners to
develop, maintain and promote such a clearinghouse.
Large factories and establishments generate hundreds of tons of waste
every year. Some establishments must divide this waste properly
according to the law into paper, glass, wood and plastic whilst other
establishments simply dump the whole lot because it is too expensive
to do the separation.
A financial incentive must be given to establishments to sell their
waste to recycling plants in order for them to not only recover the
costs, but also make some small profit and help the environment. The
major problem however is to find buyers for the materials, and to
produce in large enough quantities as to be viable for the buyer to
purchase and transport the goods to the recycling plants.
An online clearinghouse for recyclable materials would help to solve
this problem.
Main Advantages:
- Offers materials for sale to a network of recycling companies.
- Aggregates materials from different establishments in the same city,
making it viable to transport and pickup smaller quantities from each
establishment.
- Creates a secure trading platform where buyers and sellers exchange
views, ideas and transact business in an intuitive way.
- Holds online auctions and sells to the highest bidder.
- Exchange of best practices for materials separation and recycling.
- Recovers costs and makes profits out of day-to-day waste generated
from operations.
- Find establishments interested in recycling materials in one
convenient location online.
Innovative Aspects : The clearinghouse brings together industrial
organisations to collaborate in their waste disposal/recycling
activities in a cost-effective way using Information and Internet
Technologies. Particular highlights of the system include:
- Search engine listing establishments, volume and type of waste
generated and prices.
- Database of buyers and sellers from various regions, countries.
- Secure electronic transactions for online payments.
- Online community of environmental and recycling experts and
networked businesses.
Subject Descriptors : Communications networks, Microelectronics,
Ecology, Technological hazards, Terrestrial science
Subject Index Codes : Telecommunications, Electronics,
Microelectronics, Environmental Protection, Safety, Earth Sciences
Subject Class : Environment, IT, telecommunications
Market Applications : Pollution abatement, control, Recycling
technologies, Waste management (nonradioactive) , Water treatment,
Data, information security, Database management systems
Stage of Development : Experimental development stage (laboratory
prototype)
Remarks : IRC Data: TO-MLT-ICT-006
Property Rights : Secret know-how
Collaboration Sought : Joint venture agreement, Licence agreement,
Marketing agreement, Information exchange/Training
Collaboration Detail : Type of partner sought:
Public/Private/Non-Profit organisation.
Specific area of activity of the partner:
Organisation involved in recycling activities to operate and promote
the clearinghouse.
Task to be performed:
- Co-operation in the operation of the clearinghouse and development
of an online user community.
- Provision of services for collection and aggregation of the
materials offered online.
Contact Details
Contact Name : WOODS, Joe
Contact Organisation : METCO Trade Centre
Address : San Gwann Ind. Estate
City : San Gwann
Region : MALTA
Postcode : SGN09
Country : MALTA
Telephone Number : +356-23-843282
Fax Number : +356-21-441106
Electronic Mailbox :
jwoods@innovationmalta.com