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Hyrogas has commenced construction of a pilot plant (TRL* 7) at the household waste landfill in the territory of Dziļā Vāda within the framework of the LIFE programme’s integrated project “Waste to Resources Latvia - Boosting Regional Sustainability and Circularity by Introducing the Waste to Resources Concept” (LIFE Waste To Resources IP). Development of the conceptual design has now been finalised, detailed design is under elaboration, and procurements are performed, and assembly of the equipment is underway.

Goal of the LIFE IP activity implemented by Hyrogas is to test and demonstrate new recycling options for the non-recyclable fraction of household waste under recovery code R3. According to the Regulation of the Cabinet of Ministers No. 319 of 26 April 2011 "Regulations Regarding Waste Recovery and Disposal Types", type of waste recovery corresponding to code R3 is recycling or purification of organic substances not used as solvents, including composting and other biological transformation processes. Gasification and pyrolysis of waste using components of the waste as chemicals shall be classified as a type of waste recovery corresponding to code R3. LIFE IP activities also include the development of policy recommendations for the application of end-of-waste criteria to carbon-containing non-recyclable waste streams that meet all four end-of-waste criteria:

1 .     a substance or object intended to be used for a specific purpose;

2 .     there is a market or demand for the substance or object;

3.      the substance or object complies with the technical requirements for the further use of such substance or object and the requirements for the substance or object in question laid down in regulatory enactments;

4 .     use of the substance or object does not have a negative impact on the environment or human health.

The Hyrogas LIFE IP Action will set up a pilot plant based on an innovative, patented technology to convert waste-derived fuels (WDF) in synthesis gas with a processing capacity of up to 260 kg/h. The experimental prototype plant will be tested and demonstrated for the treatment of different mixed waste streams to produce synthesis gas and vitrified ash that meet the end-of-waste criteria. The data obtained during the testing will be used for validation of the technology, development of future legislative requirements and as a demonstration (pilot) project for other landfills in Latvia and other EU countries. The technology for producing synthesis gas as a substitute for natural gas is innovative at EU level and plays an important role in increasing the recycling rate of non-recyclable carbon-based waste in the EU.

Thermal treatment, such as gasification of waste derived fuel, is a new way of converting waste that makes the best use of the chemical components of the raw materials. WDF is fuel produced by shredding and dehydrating household waste after removal of inert materials (e.g. glass and metals) and is mainly composed of organic components of household waste such as plastics and biodegradable waste.

The technology, developed by Hyroga engineers, allows the conversion of WDF into a gaseous energy carrier or synthesis gas. Gaseous energy carriers are highly flexible, offering many advantages and applications in high-efficiency production systems as well as in the production of high-value chemicals. The technological process is based on autothermal waste steam reforming. The technological process uses air and steam as gasification agent, integrating high and low temperature recovery, which makes the process more energy efficient and allows the use of wet and inhomogeneous fuels, as part of the synthesis gas produced is used to support the autothermal process. The only emissions during operation of the gasification plant are vitrified ash, condensed water in proportion to the moisture content of the original WDF and the process product – synthesis gas.

After the prototype testing and technology demonstration, the synthesis gas, which meets the four end-of-waste criteria of EU Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, is planned to be used to produce industrial steam to replace natural gas. The use of vitrified ash is to be tested and demonstrated for landfill road construction, either by incorporation with recycled construction waste or for use in concreting works.

*TRL - Technology Readiness Level