SWAPSOL Corp. announced its breakthrough technology that may fundamentally alter traditional methods for waste disposal and waste-to-energy operations. The SWAP, a suite of HC processing solutions is verified to reduce H₂S to below detectable limits in a self-sustaining low-temperature catalytic reaction.

“Landfill gas cleanup may likely be the easiest application of the SWAP to implement quickly. This type of cleanup is expected to experience significant growth in the future as a renewable energy option,” said Wolf Koch, Ph.D., SWAPSOL director of planning and development. “Each landfill is normally a standalone application close to an urban location and requires little integration activities with existing processes.”

Waste disposal revolution: Landfills early adopters
The SWAP can also can destroy most common HC wastes via a reaction with molten sulfur, H₂S and carsuls (a carbon-sulfur polymer), which will depend on the HC feed. As landfills accept large quantities of construction and demolition (C&D) debris along with regular municipal solid waste (MSW), they generate increasing amounts of H₂S. That H₂S may be reacted to generate usable sulfur and hydrogen. Carsuls may be utilized to yield carbon polymer materials. The sulfur may be used for destruction of additional HC waste.

Wolf Koch at Landfill Workshop during WasteExpo

Turning waste plastics into usable polymers

SWAPSOL has experimented with the destruction of most plastics, including PVC and polystyrene, as well as used motor oils and cellulosic materials. SWAPSOL President Raymond Stenger said the utilization of carsuls presents potential commercial opportunities as building blocks for other materials.

“We’re very excited about applying this technology in the waste management sector,” Stenger said. “Given the wide range of opportunities, particularly within the waste management sector, we are already in discussions with potential pilot partners.”

Engineering & cost studies toward pilot construction
An independent engineering and comparative cost analysis has shown operational costs for the SWAP to be 70 percent lower than traditional (Claus) technology. These scoping analyses will form the blueprint for pilot development. Work is underway to identify potential partners in establishing the first commercial landfill application in mid-2011.

“We look forward to a successful demonstration of the SWAP will lead to further implementation of the technology within other industries,” Koch said. “We are already in talks with natural gas and power industry representatives discussing cooperation toward sour gas and flue gas cleanup.”