Recovering energy and materials from
waste
Flash pyrolysis, a mild heat treatment lasting just a few seconds, is becoming an important recycling tool. The University of Twente is leading in this promising technology that contributes to the circular economy, as it allows for a wide variety of waste streams to be well recycled. Organic waste streams, paper sludge, car tires, and in the near future maybe even composite materials can be effectively separated into energy and valuable reusable materials.
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he laboratory of Department of Thermal and
these high-quality biomass-based oils for use in gas
Fluid Engineering is stacked with impressive
turbines and engines.’
looking equipment. Shiny metal tubes, colorful
wiring and countless meters and switches challenge
Valuable products
the senses. In this science fiction-like world, Gerrit
Flash pyrolysis is a low-temperature separation
Brem, Professor of Energy Technology, and his team
technology used since the 1980‘s. In contrast to
perform small and medium scale tests separating
combustion, where temperatures reach between 800
waste materials into valuable components. Brem
and 1000 °C
holds a glass bottle with a sticky pitch-black fluid.
and only ash and heat remain, pyrolysis occurs at
‘This oil is one of the major and most valuable prod-
only 500 °C and without oxygen being present. As a
ucts resulting from flash pyrolysis of agricultural and
result, the material doesn’t burn, but is separated into
woody waste streams, like straw, wood, and leaves,’
different fractions due to the exposure to heat. It is a
he says. ‘With our technologies we are able to produce
relatively cost-effective and mild thermal separation