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R&D Plans and Facilities
In 2000, EWI undertook basic market and economic analyses of a number of organic waste materials (Stage 1 studies) and created a list of potential materials for further investigation. These include auto shredder residue, contaminated soil and waste plastics to name a few examples. In 2001, a number of these wastes will undergo testing in EWI's R&D facility to assess the ability of microwave energy to break down the materials. In parallel, more extensive market and economic studies will be undertaken and a business case compiled for each material. In 2002 it is anticipated that EWI will build a pilot plant for the large scale testing of the material showing the most promise.
EWI is committed to work with potential users of the technology and all levels of government to make these new applications of Reverse Polymerization a reality. There are a number of government programs available to innovative, environmental SME's (Small to Medium size Enterprises), such as EWI, who are developing and demonstrating new technologies. These programs help spread the risk of R&D and result in higher success rates in bringing applications to market.
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Reverse Polymerization Test Unit.
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Material testing will take place in EWI's Reverse Polymerization Test Unit (RPTU) which is a laboratory consisting of a number of pieces of specialized equipment. These allow the company to undertake controlled testing of waste organic materials:
- The heart of the unit is a 0.3m3 microwave-energized chamber, containing three 1.9kW maximum output magnetrons. The chamber is linked to a nitrogen/argon flushing system when an inert atmosphere is required.
- The magnetrons are governed through programmable logic controls, where power output and experiment time can be set. The power output can also be looped to thermocouple readouts from the reaction chamber
- A vapour condenser in the chamber off-gas system allows most hydrocarbon gases and water vapour to be condensed. A gas sampling port allows non-condensable gases to be sampled and sent for independent analysis, or to EWI's gas chromatograph.
EWI has recently undertaken tests for clients on the potential for microwave treatment of waste polyethylene, fibre optic cables, and silica-rich tires.
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