KTH’s lead researcher for the project Carina Lagergren said that this is a new way to reduce environmental damage and convert organic waste to energy.
By the end of 2014, the project reached its conclusion, following which a prototype system, on a small scale, has become operational in an olive oil production facility, operated by cooperative of San Isidro de Loja, Granada.
This system produces electricity that powers the facility.
Converting waste into heat and power is basically a three-step process, with the first step commencing with a digester tank that breaks the material down and releases biogas, comprising methane, carbon dioxide and sulfur compounds, to a reformer.
This reformer then converts the biogas into carbon dioxide and hydrogen, which can then be converted in the fuel cells.
When oxygen goes into the cell, it combines with the hydrogen and carbon dioxide to generate heat and electricity.
The entire process reduces the toxicity of the waste so that the leftover can safely be transferred to landfill.
"The idea behind the project is to show that it is possible to connect these processes together — starting with olive oil waste — and end up with electrical energy," Lagergren added.
