Depolymerisation.

Mimicking the natural geological processes used in the production of fossil fuels, hydrolysis pyrolysis converts complex organic materials into light crude oil.

Chemically, this process sees the long chain polymers of hydrogen, oxygen and carbon decomposed into short-chain petroleum hydrocarbons. This is distinct from pyrolysis which only uses dry materials.

Typically 15-20% of the energy derived from the feedstock is used to provide energy for the plant itself. This is while the remaining energy is used for surplus offtake.

The process is only able to break long molecular chains into shorter ones. This means small molecules such as carbon dioxide and methane are unable to be converted through this process. Methane in the feedstock can however be captured and used to heat the water which forms an essential part of the process, further enhancing the efficiency of depolymerisation WtE plants.

Depolymerisation is applicable for a wide range of feedstocks including, a variety of plastics, medical waste, tires, offal, sewage and paper waste. It typically produces a high quality crude oil which can be further refined into high value fuel oils.