Enabling high-quality recycling of bio-waste through innovative waste separation technologies

3rd International Conference on Sustainable Solid Waste Management; Tinos, 3/07/2015

Katharina KrellGreenovate! Sprl, Belgium

Valuable European waste

Recyclables Dry fraction Organic fraction

The challenge: Efficient waste separation

Real challenge is to separate organics from the restCurrent solutions:

1. Separation at source / “kerbside collection”• Challenges of contamination and citizen participation• High logistics cost• Difficult in very low and very high density areas

2. Mechanical separation at centralised wastetreatment facilities• Often low separation efficiency• A lot of organics in non-organic fraction and vice versa

Organic fraction

Non-organic fraction

SEPARATION98% efficiency

The OREX press: a new approach to central separation of wastes

Plastic & TextilesPaper & CardboardMinerals & Metals

Homogenous semi-liquid biogenic fraction

Extruder press for MSW / SSO

High-pressure extrusion into two valuable waste streams that are each more valuable with the absence of the other

wet organic fraction dry non-organic

A 3-step process

Principle: Soluble organic matter behaves like a liquid and is separated from dry non-organic fraction

Feed phaseLow pressure

Expulsion phase

Low pressure

Physical properties / dry fraction

• Upstream density: 0.7/0.8 t/m³ approx.• Residual humidity: about 18-20%• Average caloric level: >14-16,000 kJ/kg• Organic: (except wood) <4-5%

After further separation• Sellable recyclables• High-quality fuel

-without much water content-With less odour and insects

Physical properties / wet fraction

• Upstream density: 0.8/0.9 t/m³ approx.• Residual humidity: about 60-65%

no floatation of material

• In case of AD: Biogas yield >180m³/hCH4 approx. 60%

• Low fiber level and very low contaminant level

After anaerobic digestion (AD):• Biogas• Clean digestate

The waste press as part of a MBT (I)9

The waste press as part of a MBT (II)10

OREX performance tests in UK and DE

Short term tests in UK• MSW Manchester – black bag & sub-streams• MSW Liverpool – black bag• Bio-waste Bedford – mixed garden & kitchen wasteLimitations of methodology:Mobile test press specs & number of samples!

Long-term tests in DE• Mixed rest waste• Separately collected bio-waste• Mono-streams

MSW Trials – Black Bag Manchester MSW Black bag Manchester

Average Separation

OREX TS VS Moisture ash VS/TS Original 100 37 34,8 63,0 2,3 94%Dry 55 63 51,3 37,0 11,7 82%Wet 45 28,6 25,1 71,0 4,3 88%

MSW Trials – Black Bag Liverpool

MSW Black bag Liverpool

Average Separation

OREX TS VS Moisture ash VS/TS Original 100 36 30,3 64,0 5,7 84%Dry 55 59 48,5 41,0 10,5 82%Wet 45 25,5 24,1 71,0 2,6 94%

MSW dry fraction: Gross Calorific Value16600

13100

7610

68406560

14200

0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

14000

16000

18000kJ

/kg

MSW fractions

BB Manchester BB Screen Trommel Fines Heavy Rejects Organic Stockport BB Liverpool

MSW wet fraction: Methane yield

616

420

475

596

499

576

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700L

CH4/

kg.V

S ap

plie

d

MSW fractions

BB Manchester BB Screen Trommel Fines Heavy Rejects Organic Stockport BB Liverpool

MSW wet fraction: Biogas potential

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

0 1 2 3 6 7 8 13 14 15 17 20 21

Met

hane

yie

ld (L

CH

4 pe

r kg.

VS a

pplie

d

Time (Days)Black Bag Manchester Black Bag Screen Trommel Fines Heavy RejectsOrganic Stockport Black Bag Liverpool Ø Average

Summary• The OREX extruder waste press is an alternative

approach to waste separation, based on materialtype rather than on size

• OREX can become the heart of modern MBT• The performance values claimed by the developer

have been largely confirmed in short-term testwith a mini test press so far

• Wet fraction from residual waste:– Little impurities (2,6-4,6%)– High methane yields (567-616 L CH4/kg VS)– High biogas yield (230-257 m3/tons)

• Dry fraction from residual waste:– High calorific values (14.2-16.6 MJ/ton)– Moisture reduced (37-41%)

17

Next steps

• Long-term tests with several waste streams in Germany

• In-depth analysis of undesirable materials in wet fraction

• LCA

• Environmental Impact Assessment

• Final presentation of results and open-door day at long-term test site at EGW in Gescher, Germany (Spring 2016)

Achieving high-quality organic feedstock for anaerobic digestion and composting through innovative separation technologies (2013-2016)www.separate-wastesystems.eu

European consortium:• db technologies, The Netherlands• Greenovate!, Belgium• Opportunity Peterborough, UK• EGW, Germany

Contact:Katharina Krell – Partner – Greenovate! Sprl, katharina.krell@greenovate.euTel: +32 2 400 1005