Pyrolysis.

Undertaken in the absence or air and oxygen, pyrolysis uses an indirect source of heat to change the chemical composition of both organic and inorganic feedstocks, separating the feedstock into different molecules.

The indirect source of heat can be provided from an external source, such as natural gas, or from the gas produced by the process itself. Decomposition is able to occur due to the limited thermal stability of the feedstock’s chemical bonds, which allows them to be disintegrated by heat.

This leads to the formation of new molecules, often in the form of Synthesis Gas (Syngas), which can then be further refined into hydrogen and other liquid, gaseous and solid bio and synthetic fuels. These can be sold or used in other fuel cell or combustion processes to produce electricity. They can also be refined into other high value chemicals.

The solid residue from the pyrolysis, ‘char’, is a combination of non-combustible materials and carbon. It can be used in the manufacture of activated carbon filters or as an agricultural soil amendment, hereby generating another valuable revenue stream.