RMIT pyrolysis process promises cheaper, more sustainable catalysts for bio-oils

RMIT University says a new pyrolysis method developed with South East Water, Intelligent Water Networks and other water authorities could enable better-priced, more sustainable bio-oils for industrial use.

According to a statement from the university on Thursday, the PYROCO process can turn biosolids (treated sewage) into biochar with the right properties to act as a catalyst to produce phenol-rich bio-oil, suitable for use in resins, lubricants and other industrial chemicals.

Pyrolysis is a type of thermal processing used to heat organic material without oxygen. Biochar is one of the results of this, along with syngas and other fractions. The properties of each vary depending on processing parameters and feedstocks.

Recent research has shown PYROCO-derived biochar that “can effectively replace the expensive catalysts currently used to extract oil from biomass” such as the Willow Peppermint plant.

The results came from a collaboration with the Indian Institute of Petroleum, and were published in Renewable Energy.

RMIT’s Professor Kalpit Shah, Deputy Director (Research) of the ARC Training Centre for the Transformation of Australia’s Biosolids Resource said the process was close to delivering at commercial-ready scale.

“According to an International Biochar Initiative report, biochar will have a global market potential of $3.3 billion by next year, showcasing a truly circular solution,” said Shah.

Trials at the Melton Recycled Water Plant (Mark-2) have paved the way for large-scale deployment. 

This has processed biosolids from five different water utilities across Australia into biochar, with three more biosolid feedstocks to be processed in the next few months, said Shah.

The federal government has awarded a $3 million Cooperative Research Centres-Project grant to RMIT and partners Aqua Metro, South East Water and its commercial arm Iota for a Mark-3 plant (commercial demonstration scale) at a yet-to-be-announced South East Water plant next year, budgeted at $11 million.

“Our upcoming project aligns with the Global Waste Management Policy and Australia’s National Waste Policy Action Plan,” Shah said. 

“Our goal is to prevent PFAS-contaminated biosolids from being disposed of in landfill by converting them into PFAS-free biochar, for its diverse applications.”

Aqua Metro Chief Executive Officer, Manish Pancholi, added, “We see a unique opportunity for this technology to provide significant decarbonisation, environmental and circular-economy benefits to the water industry and potentially other industries and are looking forward to proving the PYROCO technology at scale.”

Picture: supplied

Further reading

Australian-first, $28 million biosolids plant opened at Loganholme

New $13.7 million biosolids centre at RMIT announced

Biochar doesn’t just store carbon – it stores water and boosts farmers’ drought resilience

Here’s how wastewater facilities could tackle food waste, generate energy and slash emissions

‘Forever chemicals’ have made their way to farms. For now, levels in your food are low – but there’s no time to waste