HYROGAS visits University of Latvia
On November 24, Hyrogas introduced students of the Environmental Science Master degree programme on Sustainability and Innovation of the University of Latvia with implementation of the integrated project "Waste as resources in Latvia - Promoting regional sustainability and circulation by introducing the concept of using waste as resources" within framework of the LIFE 2018-2020 program of the European Union's Environment and Climate Action Program (LIFE Waste To Resources IP). The project is focused on reaching end-of-waste status for non-recyclable carbon-containing waste. Hyrogas director Valdis Bisters introduced the students to the specifics of waste management and waste recycling opportunities in Latvia and the development and demonstration of new technologies.
Hyroga's activity in the project envisages an experimental prototype for the processing of refuse derived fuel (RDF) into synthetic gas with gasification technology for the application of end-of-waste status to carbon-containing non-recyclable waste streams. The equipment is supposed to be tested in order to evaluate its operational efficiency and compliance with waste processing criteria. The obtained data will be used both for the validation of innovative technology and suitability for waste recycling.
Students were interested in how recycling waste into syngas contributes to reducing climate change. The reduction of greenhouse gases (GHGs) is related to the circulation of carbon in the thermochemical recycling process. In Latvia, NAIK contains on average 50% biogenic carbon, known at the atomic level as the C14 isotope. It can be measured by mass spectrometry. If the syngas is used for energy production or for the synthesis of new chemical compounds, biogenic carbon does not produce more emissions than the amount from sequestering CO2 in biomass growth, but the carbon used in plastics is of fossil origin and, when released into the atmosphere, causes global warming. When biodegradable waste degrades, methane can be formed, which has a 34 times greater global warming potential compared to CO2, so recycling of non-recyclable waste (plastics, textiles, rubber) together with the biodegradable fraction of waste into synthesis gas has the opportunity to contribute to climate change mitigation in two ways. If the CO2 produced in the process and captured and stored, biogenic carbon will generate negative emissions, while fossil carbon will produce zero emissions. The advantage of the new technology is the ability to separate CO2 before using the syngas for energy.