Sulzer Enabling World’s First Commercial-Scale Waste-to-Fuel Plant With Zero Carbon Emissions

04.07.2022
Sulzer has supported Fulcrum BioEnergy, Inc. to complete construction of the world’s first commercial-scale production plant that will convert municipal solid waste (MSW), or household waste, into renewable transportation fuels.
Sulzer Enabling World’s First Commercial-Scale Waste-to-Fuel Plant With Zero Carbon Emissions

Sulzer enabling world’s first commercial-scale waste-to-fuel plant with zero carbon emissions. (Image source: Sulzer Ltd.)

The plant will convert approximately 175’000 tons (159’000 tonnes) of MSW into approximately 11 million gallons (41.6 million liters) of renewable synthetic crude oil (syncrude) per year. Since 2016, Sulzer has delivered a full range of pumps that will play a critical role in the site’s energy generation circuit – fundamental to the conversion process that produces fuel from waste.

Thanks to the class-leading efficiency and high degree of customization offered by Sulzer’s pumps, the company was able to win the order consisting of boiler feed, condensate extraction and other process pumps central to the plant’s energy generation circuit. These pumps will therefore play a critical role in converting the 175’000 tons (159’000 tonnes) of MSW into approximately 11 million gallons (41.6 million liters) of syncrude per year. The waste-to-fuel process has the power to transform the transportation industry with renewable, zero-carbon transportation fuels.

Frédéric Lalanne, CEO of the Sulzer group and President of Sulzer’s Flow Equipment Division, commented “This is an extremely exciting project that will help to reduce the carbon footprint of transport systems and also reduce the volume of waste going to landfill. This revolutionary new plant is the first in the world to achieve commercial scalability, and we hope it will be the first of many. We are glad to be using our pumping expertise to support this important step towards zero-carbon circular energy.”

Source: Sulzer Ltd.

More articles on this topic

Sulzer Supports Guinness World Record in Agricultural Water Treatment

18.07.2024 -

Sulzer’s energy-efficient flow technologies are driving circular processes at the world’s largest water treatment facility. With a capacity of up to 7.5 million cubic meters per day, Egypt’s New Delta Treatment Plant is treating agricultural drainage water and wastewater from the region for reuse. The clean water produced at the plant will be reused to cultivate 1.2 million acres of arable land. Sulzer’s integrated solutions and expertise help treat water that is channeled along a 120 km-long waterway to support sustainable water management and food security for the area.

Read more

Airside Water Management: Sulzer Pumps Supporting the Expansion of Frankfurt Airport

17.07.2024 -

Designing new airport terminals is a complex task and involves many engineering disciplines. While the flow of passengers and luggage are obvious areas for optimization, the planning and design of equipment for managing wastewater and rainwater are equally important, even if they are less noticeable. Sulzer has applied its expertise to the new terminal under construction in Frankfurt, Germany, to ensure all the wastewater remains out of sight.

Read more

Sulzer’s Hydraulic Power Recovery Turbine Expertise to Deliver Major Operational Cost Savings

07.05.2024 -

Hydrogen and nitrogen are important gases for many industrial processes, with the former being hailed as a sustainable fuel for the future. To create ‘blue’ hydrogen, a carbon capture process that requires considerable electrical energy is needed. However, a new plant being built in Texas, will use two hydraulic power recovery turbines (HPRTs) to dramatically improve operational efficiency and reduce energy consumption.

Read more