(Sharecast News) - Waste-to-energy technology specialist Eqtec announced the successful completion of steam-oxygen gasification tests that confirmed the suitability of its synthesis gas (syngas) technology for advanced biofuels production on Monday.
The AIM-traded firm undertook the tests at its technology innovation facility in France, in partnership with the Energy from Biomass and Wastes (ERBE) team of the Laboratoire d'Etudes et de Recherche sur le Matériau Bois (LERMAB) at Université de Lorraine (UL) in Epinal.
It said two series of tests were conducted in the first half of October, with the first using established air-blown gasification configuration with refuse-derived fuel (RDF) based on equipment and an approach previously applied by Eqtec at LERMAB.
The second applied steam-oxygen capability, made possible by equipment upgrades by Eqtec at the facility.
It said air-blown gasification would support electrical power and thermal energy applications, where the mix of hydrogen, methane and carbon dioxide in the syngas was "less critical" for the offtake application.
Steam-oxygen gasification supported hydrogen, renewable natural gas (RNG) and other advanced biofuel applications, where optimisation of the hydrogen, methane and carbon dioxide mix was "critical" for efficiency and productivity of the offtake.
The board said the upgrade to the LERMAB facility and both tests were implemented as part of Eqtec's technology innovation programme, as indicated in its 2021 annual results and first-half interim results.
An independent report with detailed and definitive conclusions from the test results was expected to be issued by UL before the end of the year.
The company said it expected the upgrade for steam-oxygen gasification to continue attracting the attention of strategic and technology partners with interest in conducting trials of new energy infrastructure for hydrogen, RNG and other advanced biofuels, based on its technology.
Such tests were already being scheduled for the first half of 2023.
"These tests are another important milestone for us in our technology innovation roadmap," said chief technology officer Yoel Alemán.
"As the demand increases for highly efficient and clean conversion facilities for hydrogen, RNG and advanced biofuels, and as industrial clients, utility companies and municipalities look for scalable, local-to-local solutions, Eqtec's capabilities with both air-blown and steam-oxygen gasification will allow us to offer a range of solutions that fit a range of business models."
Alemán said there were few successful steam-oxygen gasification facilities in the world, with the company believing its success with the tests put it "at the forefront" of clean, waste-to-value capabilities.
"From a technical perspective, we were pleased at how smoothly the technology performed throughout.
"The data we gathered will allow us to fine-tune our proprietary process capabilities and we can look forward to applying the new knowledge to future testing for prospective customers."
At the close on Monday, shares in Eqtec were up 3.51% at 0.3p.
Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.
Eqtec (EQT)