Solid waste utilization: pyrolysis

Technical Report · Mon Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1977

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5284072· OSTI ID:5284072

Boegly, Jr., W. J.; Mixon, W. R.; Dean, C.; Lizdas, D. J.

As a part of the Integrated Community Energy System (ICES) Program, a number of technology evaluations are being prepared on various current and emerging sources of energy. This evaluation considers the use of pyrolysis as a method of producing energy from municipal solid waste. The energy can be in the form of a gas, oil, chars, or steam. Pyrolysis, the decomposition of organic matter in the absence of oxygen (or in an oxygen-deficient atmosphere), has been used to convert organic matter to other products or fuels. This process is also described as ''destructive distillation''. Four processes are described in detail: the ''Landgard'' System (Monsanto Environ-Chem Systems, Inc.); the Occidental Research Corporation Process (formerly the Garrett Research and Development Company; The ''Purox'' System (Union Carbide Corporation); and the ''Refu-Cycler'' (Hamilton Standard Corporation). ''Purox'' and ''Refu-Cycler'' produce a low-Btu gas; the Occidental process produces an oil, and the ''Landgard'' process produces steam using on-site auxiliary boilers to burn the fuel gases produced by the pyrolysis unit. Also included is a listing of other pyrolysis processes currently under development for which detailed information was not available. The evaluation provides information on the various process flowsheets, energy and material balances, product characteristics, and economics. Pyrolysis of municipal solid waste as an energy source can be considered a potential for the future; however little operational or economic information is available at this time.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., Tenn. (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 5284072
• Report Number(s): ANL/CES/TE-77-15
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
090400 -- Solid Waste & Wood Fuels-- (-1989)
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290800 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Heat Utilization-- (1980-)
299003 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Unconventional Sources & Power Generation-- Other-- (-1989)
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320603* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Municipalities & Community Systems-- Public Utilities-- (1980-)
42 ENGINEERING
420900 -- Engineering-- Waste Processing Plants & Equipment-- (-1989)
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COAL GASIFICATION
COAL LIQUEFACTION
DECOMPOSITION
ECONOMICS
ENERGY SOURCES
FLUIDS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GASES
GASIFICATION
ICES
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
LANDGARD PYROLYSIS SYSTEM
LIQUEFACTION
LOW BTU GAS
MANAGEMENT
MUNICIPAL WASTES
OCCIDENTAL FLASH PYROLYSIS PROCESS
OPERATION
PROCESSING
PUROX PYROLYSIS PROCESS
PYROLYSIS
TOTAL ENERGY SYSTEMS
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTE PROCESSING PLANTS
WASTES