Combining technologies into a robust end-to-end process
Our process can accept a wide variety of waste, while delivering a clean product. There are very limited emissions to atmosphere from the plant except water and carbon dioxide. Components of the waste which do not get turned into fuel, such as metals and stones, are recycled; a small amount of it (less than 3%) goes to landfill.
Stage 1: Preparation
First, the incoming waste is received, sorted and prepared.
Stage 2: Gasification
Next, the solid waste is gasified: heated to a high temperature to break it down and convert it into synthesis gas or syngas (carbon monoxide and hydrogen).
Stage 3: Synthesis
After cleaning, the syngas is used to synthesise hydrocarbons using the Fischer-Tropsch technology provided by Velocys.
Stage 4: Finishing
These hydrocarbons are then refined into the final products: renewable jet fuel (in the form of SPK) and naphtha.
The process is fundamentally different to incineration: instead of being burnt, the carbon in the waste is converted into a fuel for use in aircraft or vehicles.
There are many clean ways of making electricity, but it is really difficult to make sustainable jet fuel – this is one of the very few economic ways of doing so. It’s therefore a far better use of household waste than incineration, creating a much more valuable and environmentally beneficial product.