Developing Gasification Technology From Port Waste

The last few years have been marked by major political decisions on the environment and a spike in post-COVID activity and trade. With current energy practices being called into question, the production and use of hydrogen has become a key issue.

Canada has several international trading ports, but the resumption of trade has led to an explosion in the quantities of waste generated, including dunnage. Although dunnage is generally collected and sent to recycling centres, a new policy currently being approved at federal level is shaking things up by encouraging port authorities to dispose of this waste within 24 to 48 hours, depending on whether or not it has been treated, in order to avoid any risk of importing foreign agents (e.g. viruses and parasites). In such short timescales, incineration is the pragmatic solution, but generates significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Gasification is a mature technology capable of eliminating several types of waste while producing hydrogen-rich syngas. The objectives of this research proposal are therefore to:

• Develop the gasification process using dunnage from the Port of Montréal (treated and untreated wood)
• Develop the biomass conditioning process (grinding, drying) in order to optimize the reaction
• Analyze the composition of syngas and its purity in relation to the biomass used
• Optimize the operating parameters to favour the production of H₂ or CH₄
• Explore the co-gasification of other organic port materials (e.g. contaminated organic cargoes)
• Carry out a summary technical and economic analysis, including a carbon footprint and potential outlets.