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Waste-to-Energy
The result has been the ability to convert a wide range of unrecyclable plastics and other contaminated nonrecyclable waste into a consistent and controllable syngas, and if required, 99.999 percent purity hydrogen. Importantly, any excess carbon is sequestered by the generation of a solid carbon rich residue, rather than being emitted, which as a product also has commercial value.
Affordable, efficient, sustainable, responsible
There are many benefits of advanced thermal chemical recycling technology beyond reducing unrecyclable plastic and creating ultra-low carbon energy.
Firstly, the efficiency of the process, which typically uses high calorific waste, makes it a commercially viable one. As an example, a 40-ton-of-waste-per-day DMG ® system can produce enough syngas every day to power approximately 10,000 homes at a competitive price, or produce three tons of hydrogen, enough to power 120,000 HGV kilometers, and for less than the current UK CfD strike price for H2.
Furthermore, the range of waste that can be used as feedstock is very broad, examples being contaminated waste, mixed non-recyclable waste, biomass, tires, and automotive shredder residue.
The technology also enables energy to be produced on a distributed basis, due to it being applied at a relatively small plant size. As an example, PowerHouse Energy’ s 40-ton-per-day DMG ® system requires a 2.5-acre footprint to operate, and so can be located near the source of the waste or where the energy is required. Applications are numerous, such as alongside Energy from Waste incinerators, where it improves efficiency of existing waste management practices, and in offgrid environments where waste must be exported and energy( normally fossil fuel) is imported, such as in mining and quarrying.
Other sectors we are already seeing interest from include power generation and supply, packaging, consumer products, automotive, tires, and data centers.
In terms of access to feedstock, taking the UK as an example, around four and half million tons of plastic waste is produced annually, of which roughly 76 percent is not recycled, which alone ensures a reliable feedstock source for the foreseeable future.
A commercial and pragmatic way forward
I am not suggesting this is a panacea to dealing with the enormity of the global plastic waste problem; it will require embracing other similar and emerging technologies such as solvent extraction and enzymatic recycling as well.
However, as a pragmatic and commercially viable technology, advanced thermal chemical recycling is now ideally placed to make a significant contribution to reducing non-recyclable waste, especially plastic, producing a clean source of energy and help with the push towards a truly circular economy. In my view, pyrolysis and gasification are technologies well worth embracing, from both an environmental and commercial perspective. ■
Paul Emmitt www. powerhouseenergy. co. uk
Paul Emmitt is the CEO of PowerHouse Energy Group Plc, with more than 30 years of experience driving infrastructure delivery, engineering innovation, and corporate transformation. His career spans plc board leadership, entrepreneurial growth, and internal operations, with a consistent focus on scaling technology, delivering capital programs, and creating long-term value in regulated and industrial sectors.
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