News

Agilyx Announces Plans for Polystyrene Recycling Through Pyrolysis

Previously known for converting plastics to crude oil, Oregon based Agilyx Corp has secured project financing for a pyrolysis facility capable of processing up to 10 tons of polystyrene scrap per day. The process used is able to return polystyrene to a liquid styrene monomer product that can be returned back into the manufacturing cycle. According to Agilyx CEO, Ross Patten, this facility will be the first of its type in the world and will be able to handle as much as 5% contamination without affecting the quality of the finished product. Patten adds that the facility may be expanded to process 25 tons per day and maybe even 50 tons per day and hopes to eventually sell different modules to different regions across the country. To read more click here.

Does Gasification Have Unrealized Potential for the MSW Space?

The process of gasification is a complex one full of regulatory roadblocks and logistic challenges that make it a difficult technology to promote as commercially viable. However, the process may be able to address the needs of areas of lower population density. While gasification emits fewer emissions, it also produces less energy than incineration. Smaller cities would be able to take advantage of small modules that would convert municipal solid waste to energy and divert trash away from the landfill. Larger cities and more densely populated regions typically have less landfill space presenting even more logistic challenges, for now, for even large companies to present gasification as an economically viable alternative to incineration.  To read more click here.

Africas First Grid-Connected Biogas Plant Powers Up

The Gorge Farm Energy Park, located in Naivasha, Kenya produces its own electricity and heat using biogas generated from the farms own crop residue. In fact it produces a surplus of electricity, and has become Africas first biogas facility to sell surplus electricity back into the national grid. However, there are some concerns of whether current tariffs will attract enough investors to more biogas projects as this technology is relatively new in the continent. There have also been concerns over how much raw material is needed to produce substantial energy output. The industry assures that 1% of organic material and crops in Kenya would produce enough energy to match the current capacity of the country.  To read more click here.

SoCalGas Pilot Biogas Project Selected by US Energy Department for Funding

It was announced that the Central Contra Costa Sanitary District, located near Oakland, California, will host a pilot system developed by Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) that will receive up to $1.2 million from the US Energy Department. Hydrothermal processing technology will be used to convert wastewater solids into biocrude and methane gas with the help of water, heat, and pressure. The DOE is expected to fund half of the design and planning and the other half will be funded by a consortium led by the Water Environment and Reuse Foundation of which SoCalGas is a participant of. SoCalGas will help with overseeing the project and helping obtain necessary state and federal regulatory approvals and incentives.  To read more click here.