Overview of Anaerobic Pyrolysis Technology for Sorted Organic Components of Municipal Solid Waste

Anaerobic pyrolysis technology for sorted organic components of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), commonly referred to as pyrolysis gasification technology, is an advanced thermal treatment method for solid waste. Its core principle involves heating pre-sorted and enriched organic waste (such as food waste, waste paper, plastics, rubber, straw, wood, textiles, etc.) to a specific temperature range (typically between 350°C and 800°C) under oxygen-free or strictly oxygen-deficient (oxygen-lean) conditions. Through thermochemical reactions, the large organic molecules undergo a series of complex processes including cracking, dehydrogenation, and polycondensation. This ultimately converts the waste into three forms of high-value products: combustible gas (synthetic natural gas), condensable liquid oil (which can also be directly output as gas at high temperatures), and solid carbonaceous residue (biochar or carbon black). The technology aims to achieve the "three transformations" goal of MSW treatment: harmless disposal, volume reduction, and resource recovery. Consequently, it is regarded as a more environmentally friendly treatment method.

As an emerging waste treatment technology, it demonstrates significant comprehensive advantages in environmental benefits, resource utilization, and techno-economic feasibility due to its unique process principles. Compared to traditional incineration, the pyrolysis process involves no open-flame combustion, fundamentally altering the formation environment of pollutants. Its core advantage lies in suppressing the generation of highly toxic dioxins at the source and effectively immobilizing heavy metals, significantly reducing secondary pollution risks. In terms of resource recovery, the technology can convert waste into high-value energy sources and chemical feedstocks, achieving energy self-sufficiency and lowering operational costs. Its investment and operational expenses are notably lower than those of incineration technology. It is particularly suitable for small-to-medium scale, distributed waste treatment projects, serving as an effective technical pathway to address issues like "cities besieged by waste" and the imbalance in waste treatment between urban and rural areas.

Jufeng Company independently possesses a complete set of core technologies, including "Zoned Waste Pyrolysis, Bidirectional Fully-Mixed Flue Gas Circulation and Reuse, and Pyrolysis Waste Heat Power Generation." The company has achieved modularized and localized treatment facility design. The R&D team is primarily led by the company's "Jufeng Expert Group," and collaborates with a joint research team from Huazhong University of Science and Technology to continuously optimize the pyrolysis process and equipment. Related achievements have been included in China's "13th Five-Year Plan" Major Science and Technology Projects.

Main Steps of MSW Anaerobic Pyrolysis Technology

Step 1: MSW Sorting (Pre-treatment)

Mixed waste has complex components, making direct pyrolysis inefficient and yielding impure products. Through physical separation techniques like shredding, magnetic separation, and air classification, metals, organic plastics, straw/wood, bones, glass, construction debris, etc., are separated from the waste. The resulting fraction rich in organic matter (primarily food waste, waste paper, plastics, wood, textiles, etc.) is commonly referred to as "Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF)" or "oversized material."

Step 2: Anaerobic Pyrolysis of Organic Matter (Core Conversion)

The sorted organic material, after pre-treatment like shredding and drying, is fed into a sealed, oxygen-free pyrolysis system. Under oxygen-free or oxygen-limited conditions, it is heated to 400°C - 800°C for thermal decomposition.
Key Point: The oxygen-free or oxygen-limited environment means the organic matter does not combust but undergoes thermochemical decomposition.
Conversion Process: At high temperatures, the large molecular chains of the organic matter break down and recombine into new, smaller molecular substances.

Step 3: Product Collection and Utilization

The pyrolysis process converts the solid waste into three valuable products:

1. Biochar: A carbon-rich solid residue. It can be used as a soil amendment, adsorbent (e.g., for deodorization, water purification), or fuel.
2. Pyrolysis Oil: Larger hydrocarbon mixtures are condensed into liquid oil, which can be used as fuel oil or further refined as a chemical feedstock.
3. Pyrolysis Gas (Synthetic Natural Gas): Mainly composed of combustible gases like hydrogen (H₂), carbon monoxide (CO), and methane (CH₄). It can be used to supply heat for the pyrolysis process itself, achieving energy self-sufficiency. Surplus gas can be exported for external heating.

Photos of Some Municipal Solid Waste Anaerobic Pyrolysis Equipment