Production of value-added products from solid waste heavy hydrocarbons

该项目将开发潜在的技术，以货币化数百万吨富含碳的固体废物，如低阶煤褐煤和石油焦（Petcoke），这些废物在加拿大储量丰富。这些碳氢化合物最常用于产生热量和电力，这两种燃烧应用都会产生大量的温室气体排放（GHG）。此外，由于这些原料中的碳和杂质（氮、硫等）含量高，与使用天然气等其他化石燃料相比，它们的最终用途温室气体影响更为严重。

This project will develop technology for potentially monetizing millions of tons of carbon rich solid waste like low rank-coal lignite and petroleum coke (Petcoke) that are abundantly available in Canada. These hydrocarbons are most commonly used for generating heat and power, both of which are combustion applications generating significant amounts of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). Additionally, because of the high carbon and impurities (nitrogen, sulphur etc.) content in these feedstocks, their end-use GHG impact is more severe compared with using other fossil fuels such as natural gas. In this project, we are introducing a technology called oxy-cracking, a combination of two reactions taking place simultaneously in a water-based medium, for converting these feedstocks into useful chemicals for non-combustion application. Additionally, the CO2 emissions in the proposed process are negligible compared with the incumbent technology for producing these chemicals from lignite and other waste carbonaceous feedstocks. This technology is a cost-effective technique as it takes place at low pressures and temperatures and favors the production of humic acid analogs that find application as bulk fertilizers. The proposed research will optimize and scale up this technology at a lab scale. The long term goal is to develop a process capable of reliably producing high yields for humic acids from low rank-coals, while recycling back the water used in the process. This generates a product from a solid waste and reduces the pollutants in the air emissions. Efficient oxy-cracking process has the potential to i) provide humic acids for subsequent sale; ii) position Canada well to lead the global marketplace for humic acids production from low rank-coals. HQPs will gain experience in process design and advanced chemical reaction techniques that are also applicable to residual feedstocks of oil and gas industry.