IT (CURRENT) Home Innovation Technological platforms Biorefinery From waste to biofuel DOWNSTREAM TECHNOLOGIES From waste to biofuel Waste-to-fuel technology puts waste to good use. Waste-to-fuel: a new life for waste At Eni’s Renewable Energy and Environmental R&D Centre we have built a pilot plant to trial “waste-to-fuel” (W2F) – a technology that allows us to transform waste into energy and second-generation biofuels. Waste is processed into bio-oil that is then used for the production of energy or as a component of biofuels for cars or maritime transport. A plant being constructed in Gela is focussed on this waste-to-fuel technology. The team that worked on the project in 2011 won the prestigious Recognition for Innovation Eni Award, the award for excellence in energy. How does the process work? There are four stages in the cycle, starting with pre-treatment of the waste, followed by liquefaction (the thermochemical biomass conversion in the liquid phase). Then the components are separated and the derived by-products enhanced. The last phase consists of refining the resulting bio-oil. In this video, Eni’s Aldo Bosetti explains the working stages of the pilot plant in more detail. Which advanteges? Find out with our last EnergySnack What waste can be used for this process? FORSU is an acronym for Frazione Organica Rifiuti Solidi Urbani (Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste), which refers to the material produced from the separate collection of ‘wet waste’. It typically consists of kitchen waste – from food leftovers to used napkins. FORSU is one type of waste treated during the process, along with the sludge from sewage treatment plants, tree prunings, food-industry waste and waste from supermarkets. Solid waste of organic origin is called ‘wet’ because it has a high water content – up to 70 per cent. Through liquefaction, the energy produced is concentrated almost entirely in the bio-oil, which in turn can be converted into biofuel. From one tonne of organic matter (weight including water), we obtain up to 150kg of bio-oil. The innovative elements of waste-to-fuel technology Waste-to-fuel is an innovative and sustainable process, because it: manages to enhance the bio-oil obtained as an energy carrier for the production of energy or biofuels complies with the requirements of the green and circular economies because it is capable of reusing vegetable and animal waste does not compete with the food supply chain, but rather reuses food waste does not compete with agricultural production because the waste biomass produced through the thermochemical liquefaction process does not come directly from agricultural activity. Find out more on enipedia Eni Award 2011 Edition 04/19/2018 - 12:00 PM We are an energy company. We are working to build a future where everyone can access energy resources efficiently and sustainably. Our work is based on passion and innovation, on our unique strengths and skills, on the quality of our people and in recognising that diversity across all aspects of our operations and organisation is something to be cherished. We believe in the value of long term partnerships with the countries and communities where we operate. Registered Head Office Piazzale Enrico Mattei, 1 00144 Rome, Italy Company Share Capital € 4.005.358.876,00 paid up Rome Company Register, Tax Identification Number 00484960588 VAT Number 00905811006 Branches Via Emilia, 1 and Piazza Ezio Vanoni, 1 20097 San Donato Milanese, Milan, Italy POLICIES Sitemap Accessibility Terms and Conditions Privacy Policy Cookie Policy Info Reserved Area Remit