A WORLD’S FIRST FOR ENERKEM BIOFUELS

Edmonton Hosts World’s First Industrial Scale Waste-to-Biofuels Facility

The city of Edmonton, Canada recently, inaugurated the world’s first industrial scale waste-to-biofuels facility. Biofuels continue to be a hot topic as the search for a viable alternative to oil continues. However, they do have their shortcomings, particularly concerning the diversion of foodstuffs such as corn to the manufacture of ethanol.

The idea of generating biofuels from waste would seem to make a lot more sense, essentially turning an unwanted substance into a valuable product. As it stands, Edmonton diverts 60 percent of its waste away from landfill, the new facility should increase that to 90 percent.

When the waste arrives at the plant, compostable material and electronic goods are separated and set apart. Any high-carbon materials such as wood, plastics and fabrics will be shredded into Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF). This will then be transferred to the Waste-to-Biofuels and Chemicals Facility, which will be managed by Enerkem Alberta Biofuels.

At this facility the RCF will be heated to very high temperatures in a low-oxygen environment, which breaks down chemical bonds and produces a synthetic gas. This gas is then processed into methanol and ethanol. The city authorities estimate they can convert 100,000 tonnes (110,231 tons) of city waste into 38 million liters (10 million gallons) of ethanol annually.