BIOMASS SOLUTIONS

for true carbon neutrality

The Technology behind Diacarbon Energy Inc.

How It Works

1 - Biomass and biowaste is a widely available resource that is generally discarded. We use it in our Biomass Refinery Systems.
2 - The biomass undergoes Pyrolysis to convert it into biochar and other fuel without burning it or generating harmful emissions.
3 - The result is biochar & oil, and synthesis gas – carbon-neutral energy sources ready for commercial purposes.
4 - Part of the synthesis gas generated in the reactor is also recycled to provide the heat for pyrolysis, making the system mostly self-sustainable
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Our Refinery Systems in Detail

Diacarbon Energy's continuous process pyrolysis technology is leading edge for small to medium sized (15 tons/day to 200 tons/day) renewable energy plants (biomass refineries). Pyrolysis, meaning "heat decomposition," is a thermochemical process that involves the heating of biomass at specific temperatures, under oxygen-free or low-oxygen conditions.

Pyrolysis converts biomass or biomass waste into three fuel types: Liquid bio-oil, solid biochar and synthesis gas. These combustible gases are collected and used to fuel the Biomass Refinery units; the entire system is a closed loop with low emissions.

Once the plant is up to temperature using natural gas or propane as fuel, the fossil fuel burners can be turned off. At this point the system is capable of using its own synthesis gas as a process fuel, making the technology almost entirely self sustaining. In Diacarbon Energy's continuous process, raw organic material of any kind is passed through the system and "cooked" into marketable products. These products are automatically collected into their own holding tanks.

While some of the synthesis gas is used to fuel the process, on-site gas turbines or steam boilers can be fueled by the same gas to produce electricity and hot water.

Terms & Concepts

Pyrolysis - The word is coined from the Greek-derived elements: "pyro" meaning "heat or "fire", and lysis, meaning "loosening". This is a thermochemical process that involves the heating of biomass at specific temperatures, under oxygen-free conditions, to produce bio-fuel products without incineration.

Biomass - A renewable source of biological material derived from living, or recently living organisms, such as wood, waste, carcasses etc.

Biochar - A charcoal-like substance that is created when biomass undergoes pyrolysis. It can be used as a carbon-neutral coal alternative for energy production, as a soil treatment for agriculture (also carbon sequesteration).Research is revealing many other uses of biochar that is beneficial to the environment & industry at the same time.

Synthesis Gas - A gas mixture that mostly contains varying amounts of carbon monoxide and hydrogen.

Carbon Cycle - The carbon cycle is the cycle by which carbon is exchanged among the biosphere, pedosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere of the Earth. It is one of the most important cycles of the earth and allows for carbon to be recycled and reused throughout the biosphere and all of its organisms.

Greenhouse Gases 101

Not familiar with some basic concepts of greenhouse gases, the carbon cycle, and global warming? Here is a brief explanation to fill you in.

Our planet has a natural carbon cycle that links the carbon in the atmosphere to the carbon in the biosphere (organisms on the planet). Two of the most potent greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide and methane, are part of this cycle. Carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere by plants and microbes that that convert it into carbohydrates and other molecules essential for life (methane can also be used in a similar fashion by certain microbes). In turn, these plants are eaten by animals and the carbon-based molecules are passed through the food chain until they converted back into carbon dioxide and returned to the atmosphere. During the history of our planet, these greenhouse gases have always been in balance within the carbon cycle and do not normally accumulate.

Enter fossil fuels…

Fossil fuels are buried deep within the earth, and while they are composed of carbon-based molecules, they are not part of the normal carbon cycle. When fossil fuels are burned (in cars, for example), the carbon that was trapped within the ground is now liberated as greenhouse gases. This upsets the carbon cycle and creates an accumulation of greenhouse gases that cannot be easily recaptured.

Greenhouse gases get their name from the effect they have on the planet. These gases actually prevent heat from radiating out from the planet into space. Normally this is a good thing and has allowed the planet to maintain a suitable temperature for life to survive. Throughout history, the greenhouse gases were balanced within the carbon cycle and the temperature has remained relatively constant over time. Unfortunately, our increased use of fossil fuels over the past century has corresponded with an increase in greenhouse gases. This in turn has corresponded with an increase in the average temperature of the planet (global warming). This has led to a noticeable change in the various climates across the Earth. We can observe these effects in various ways, such as melting of glaciers and polar ice caps, severe storms, loss of ecosystems and increased desert areas, to name a few. We humans have greatly impacted the health of our planet, and it is up to us to help repair the damage!