EQTEC Advanced Gasification Technology
Innovation excellence
Our team applies decades of experience with gasification and syngas in both R&D and commercial environments. Led by four PhDs in Chemical Engineering, we are at the forefront of syngas production, applying end-to-end process engineering as well as design and mechanical, electrical and civil engineering for the deployment of EQTEC’s unique technologies.
R&D installation at Universite de Lorraine, France
The proof in our innovation capability is in the gasification plants we have built and are building. But our drive for commercial execution is matched by our dedication to continuous innovation and development of new intellectual property (IP) and new patents. On our own sites and also in collaboration with R&D partners, our expert engineers are continuously testing the limits of our advanced gasification capabilities and delivering our technology roadmap.
Leading gas engine company Jenbacher has given our technology special commendation for the purity of the syngas it produces and for the reliability and efficiency of the equipment.
At the University of Lorraine (France) and University of Extremadura (Spain), working with their experts, we have installed gasification equipment and operate R&D pilot plants. We actively invest in maintenance, upgrade and application of these facilities, enabling us to identify, test – we now have a proprietary library with nearly 60 different feedstocks analysed – and expand into areas of emerging market interest.
Our practical know-how combines with our patents and other IP and we work closely with the following partners, to further our technical expertise and ensure we continue to set the global innovation standards for advanced gasification. We maintain a number of patents around the world for multiple elements of its technology and we continuously reviews opportunities for establishing new patents where we have a unique contribution to advanced gasification.
Less wasteful than landfill, cleaner than incineration
Sustainably converting waste into types of baseload energy and biofuels is the next best option after reducing, reusing and recycling what is recyclable. But not all forms of waste management – even those intended to support a circular economy – are equal. Most of the waste not recycled is sent to landfill or incinerated. These methods aren’t sustainable and they aren’t good for the environment or good for communities.
At EQTEC, we believe our applied technology-led approach to waste is.
Gasification: key facts
Gasification is the process of thermochemically converting feedstock such as RDF, agricultural, biomass and industrial waste and plastics into syngas. Syngas is then used as fuel to generate electricity and heat, or as a commodity, to produce transportation fuels, Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG) and hydrogen.
The US Department of Energy defines gasification as
“A process technology that is designed and operated for the purpose of producing synthesis gas (a commodity which can be used to produce fuels, chemicals or power) through the chemical conversion of carbonaceous materials.”
Advanced gasification is a thermochemical process characterised by the purity of the synthesis gas (‘syngas’) it produces, the operational plant availability it supports and the commercial opportunities this creates…all without applying combustion and with a very clean CO2 and emissions profile.
Cuts down on waste sent to landfill
Is more efficient than other waste-to-value methods
Cuts carbon dioxide, methane, hydrofluorocarbons, tropospheric ozone and nitrous oxide emissions associated with incineration
Helps waste owners, developers and contractors to meet or exceed increasingly stringent environmental regulations
Produces only non-hazardous ashes as a by-product, resulting in a significantly lower carbon footprint compared with other waste-to-energy methods
Eliminates the health hazards associated with burning waste.
Technology for a cleaner world
Like other cleantech alternatives, our Advanced Gasification Technology addresses waste management as well as carbon negative energy and biofuels production in a world where both of these challenges are growing at alarming rates.
The energy challenge
Electricity production will triple by 2050*. Renewables will make up 50% of global energy by 2035, from around 20% today**. With the increasing shift to decentralised electricity grids, production and usage, the customised nature of syngas plants is an advantage.
*(International Energy Agency, 2021, Net Zero by 2050 report)
**(McKinsey, 2019)
The waste
challenge
The world is projected to increase its production of waste by 2050 by up to 70%*. The global waste management market is expected to be worth $485 billion by 2025*. This creates an opportunity for companies like EQTEC, that can convert that waste into energy/biofuels in a sustainable and cost-effective way.
*(World Bank, 2018, What a Waste 2.0: A Global Snapshot of Solid Waste Management to 2050 report)
Legislative support
Recent and upcoming EU and UK legislation aims to cut the volume of waste going to landfill and to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Pressure from consumers, governments and intra-governmental bodies such as the EU and the UN is forcing change in how waste owners process their waste.
Current waste emissions
Waste management today produces 5% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It is further estimated that solid waste treatment and disposal in 2016 generated an estimated 1.6 billion tonnes* of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent GHG emissions.
*(climateactiontracker.org)
A growing concern
Without improvements in the sector, solid waste-related emissions are likely to increase to 2.6 billion tonnes* of CO2 equivalent by 2050.
*(World Bank, 2018, What a Waste 2.0: A Global Snapshot of Solid Waste Management to 2050 report)
More than carbon dioxide
Existing waste management produces GHG such as nitrous oxide and what are known as “short-lived climate pollutants”, black carbon, methane, tropospheric ozone and hydrofluorocarbons. They account for c.40-45%* of global warming to date. Unlike CO2, these stay in the atmosphere for less time, but it’s thought that their effect on global warming is several times higher than that of CO2.
*(IPCC)
EQTEC technology: the patented process
Our Advanced Gasification Technology is based on a bubbling fluid bed gasifier
Advantages of EQTEC Advanced Gasification Technology
Operational efficiency and sustainability
Commercially proven technology with high operational efficiency. We have created four installations, one with 10 years of live operating hours and process analytics
Environmental impact
Projects have the highest energy efficiency amongst waste-to-energy technologies and the lowest energy-from-waste technology environmental impact.
Low risk and high quality
Low risk and quick to install, we create additional value by ensuring high system availability, reliability and quality operational performance at each plant.
Versatile
Extensive versatility in successfully converting feedstock inputs into energy and fuel outputs.
Consistent standards
Accurate software modelling
Our unique and highly accurate software modelling and IoT monitoring platform make us the partner of choice for leading waste management stakeholders across Europe and the USA.
Partner spotlight
The ERBE (Equipe de Recherche sur la Biomasse Energie) and LERMAB (Laboratoire d’Etudes et de Recherche sur le Matériau Bois) team is part of the LERMAB laboratory, a research centre at the Université de Lorraine. For the last 20 years, ERBE has worked on the thermochemical conversion of biomass and waste-to-energy.
Market: Europe
Market Europe
Partner spotlight
CT3 Ingeniería S.L. has worked closely with EQTEC for 10 years, leading the mechanical engineering work for most of the Company’s projects, past and present, including at Billingham in Teesside, UK, North Fork in California, USA, Larissa in Thessalia, Greece and the EQTEC Italia MDC in Castiglione d’Orcia, Tuscany, Italy.
Our technology partners
