Pyrolysis is a thermal degradation of a substance in the absence of oxygen, so that these substances are decomposed by heat, without combustion reactions taking place.
Some of our technologies work with this degradation process for the transformation of urban waste into gaseous matter.
The basic characteristics of this process are the following:
The only oxygen present is that contained in the waste to be treated.
Working temperatures are lower than those of gasification, ranging between 300°C and 800°C.
As a result of the process, we obtain:
Gas, whose basic components are CO, CO2, H2, CH4 and more volatile compounds from the cracking of organic molecules, together with those already existing in the waste. This gas is very similar to the synthesis gas obtained in gasification, but there is a greater presence of tar, wax, etc. to the detriment of gases, since pyrolysis works at lower temperatures than gasification.
Liquid waste, basically composed of long-chain hydrocarbons such as tars, oils, phenols, waxes formed by condensing at room temperature.
Solid waste, composed of all those non-combustible materials, which have either not been transformed or come from a molecular condensation with a high content of carbon, heavy metals and other inert components of the waste.
Liquid and gaseous waste can be used by combustion through a steam cycle for the production of electrical energy. The solid waste can be used as fuel in industrial facilities, such as cement plants.
The pollution reduction compared to a sanitary landfill is approximately 97%, optimizing the use of clean fuels and energies, effectively reducing the environmental impact.
