Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual

The proposed research will establish integrated processes for waste material recycling and net-zero fuel development by adapting existing reactor technologies. Each waste type requires a different recycling scheme. For example, carbon fibre composites and tire wires contain valuable solids that can be recovered with minimal damage or contamination. On the other hand, recycling other waste types, such as medical waste or automotive shredder residue, will focus on generating valuable liquid and gas products. In this work, we will adapt three types of reactors developed in our laboratory-the Pyrolysis Shaker Reactor (PSR), the Fluid Coker Reactor (FCR), and the Jiggled Bed Reactor (JBR)-to advance the recycling of several significant waste materials. Medical waste, such as surgical masks, will first be processed in the PSR, which simulates industrial rotary drums. The liquid product will then be processed in the FCR, which simulates industrial Fluid- and Flexicokers. The objective is to mix recycled liquids with current petroleum-based feedstocks, helping refineries transition from conventional feedstocks. A slurry of residual oil and ground medical waste will also be processed in the FCR. Carbon fibre composites will be processed in the JBR, which provides high heat transfer rates and excellent mixing, ensuring well-controlled reaction conditions. The solid product, consisting primarily of carbon fibre, will be recycled in new composites. The liquid product will be processed in the FCR. Tire wire is obtained from the mechanical processing of tires. It contains many impurities, but our work suggests that a PSR could be used to remove the impurities without damaging the wire, which could be recycled. Converting hydrocarbon gases and vapours from waste recycling to carbon and hydrogen would eliminate greenhouse gas emissions. Hydrogen could be used as fuel, while carbon, depending on its form, could be used for batteries or to provide strong and lightweight materials that would save energy. Examples of possible applications for carbon products are windmill blades or lightweight car parts. If inexpensive carbon material can be produced, it could substitute for steel in reinforced concrete, providing more robust, lightweight structures that would need less cement. Current technologies have focused on hydrogen production and have thus used hydrogen-rich hydrocarbons such as natural gas. The proposed research will focus on producing valuable forms of carbon from other hydrocarbon gases, with hydrogen as a side-product. In the short-term, this research will identify promising strategies for recycling waste materials with reduced greenhouse emissions. The mid-term outcome will be the industry-funded development of these strategies by us and others in Canada and worldwide. Finally, the long-term outcome will be the large-scale implementation of integrated processes for recycling waste materials, significantly reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.