A “world-first” plasma technology rapidly transforms wet organic waste into a valuable energy resource without any need for pre-drying, according to a study.
Researchers at the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM) in South Korea have developed a “world-first” flame plasma pyrolysis (FPP) technology to rapidly convert wet spent coffee grounds into usable biochar, a carbon-rich form of charcoal.
Coffee is a popular drink worldwide and one that generates an enormous amount of waste. Once coffee is brewed, its spent wet grounds often end up thrown away and in landfill or incinerated, where it contributes to carbon emissions.
For many years research has been undertaken as to how to convert this vast waste resource into fuel or carbon products. But to do so requires the grounds are dried, and pre-drying techniques are energy-intensive and expensive.
The FPP solution the KIGAM team has developed overcomes this challenge as the wet coffee grounds or biomass can be treated...