Project Synopsis
Provide Owner’s Engineering support to a client exploring strategies and process flow steps to develop pilot-to-commercial manufacturing technologies for pyrolysis, synthesis gas (syngas) purification, and hydrogen fuel systems.
Project Summary
The client is a startup company that is developing novel approaches to low-carbon footprint fuel and hydrogen fuel generation networks using post-consumer plastic and tire feedstocks. The client explored strategies and process flow steps to develop pilot-to-commercial manufacturing technologies for pyrolysis, synthesis gas (syngas) purification, and hydrogen fuel systems.
The client contracted Process Engineering International, LLC (PROCESS) to serve as their Owner’s Process Engineer. PROCESS conducted multiple reviews and provided ongoing technical support for pilot scale pyrolysis, synthesis gas purification, commercial pyrolysis production units, and carbon sequestration technologies. PROCESS additionally provided support in development of air permits, a review of existing pyrolysis equipment, and a potential commercial site review. PROCESS coordinated a series of workshops to develop and produce a strategic path forward for the detail design process of a prototype pyrolysis system. PROCESS conducted safety reviews, energy optimization assessments, and process and instrumentation assessments of pyrolysis and gas processing pilot systems. PROCESS also provided process engineering technical support to develop marketing packages for investor brochures.
More specifically, PROCESS worked with the client to develop the following:
- Micro-pilot unit design basis and detailed process engineering package
- Synthesis gas purification process flow diagram
- Synthesis gas technology assessment
- Pyrolysis technology and process safety risk and performance assessments
- Pyrolysis heat and energy optimization study
- Pyrolysis process flow diagrams
- Control and instrumentation optimization study for pilot and commercial units
- Technical portion of air permits
- Heat and material balance (HMB) for continuous and batch pyrolysis systems
- Vendor and unit operation technology advisement
- Green and brown-field conceptual site layout and utility requirements
- Process description and technical brochure
- Impressions of potential chemical engineer new hires.
Once the technical advisory role was completed, PROCESS transitioned to a process design role for pilot and commercial units while continuing to provide support in a process consultant role.
Industry Type
Alternative Fuels / Alternative Energy
Utilized Skills
- Owner’s process engineering support
- Conceptual/Preliminary process design
- Process engineering project development consulting.