A Hybrid Pyrolysis/Incineration System for Solid Waste Resource Recovery

Advanced Fuel Research, Inc.

East Hartford, CT

INNOVATION

This technology processes solid waste material in the absence of air and converts it into gases and residue.  The gases contain H2O and CO2, which can be used for life support, and CO, H2, CH4, which can be burned.

• Developed a prototype system that can handle about 100 grams of solid waste, which was delivered to NASA.
  
• Received five additional government contracts for further development of the technology for related commercial applications.
  
• Two patents have been granted for the main elements of this technology.
  

• Advanced Fuel Research (AFR) is still developing the technology, and commercialization is expected within three to five years. The system continues to be optimized to accommodate larger quantities of waste and to increase energy efficiency.
• AFR has a Phase 1 SBIR contract with the National Science Foundation to develop this technology for use in fast-food restaurants.  It would not only solve the solid waste problem in the fast-food industry, but also provide a back-up power source in case of outages.
• This technology would be a benefit to the cruise line industry, pleasure boats and recreational vehicles.  All are self-contained systems that not only consume energy but generate solid waste.
  

• This system will be useful in future NASA missions that require long term space flight.  The technology allows for a self-contained Controlled Ecological Life Support System (CELLS), that will be needed for extended manned space missions. Additionally, the gases generated can be used as an energy source for operations in space.
• This technology is being further developed via Phase 1 & Phase 2 SBIR contracts with the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture to process chicken manure, which is abundant commercially.  The research seeks to either dispose of the waste or, preferably, utilize the gases for energy.
• The U.S. Military will likely be early adopters of this technology as they have a demonstrated need for a method to dispose of large quantities of solid waste and generate energy, both for environmental and strategic reasons.
  

Return to NASA SBIR Success Listings