In its drive to become a leading global supplier of green value from waste solutions, local waste solutions provider Explorius has designed its first coal fines and waste-to-fuel pilot plant for the manufacture of briquettes and pellets from waste generated during industrial processes.

The pilot plant has a focus on converting coal fines from the coal mining process into usable briquettes, but the technology can be used to convert a variety of waste products into energy.

The pilot plant has been designed to be a flexible representation of Explorius’ offerings and will be used to prove the concept to clients across all markets.

“Our current focus is on industrial applications that use coal and generate organic biomass with a possibility for implementation at coal mines, municipal recycling and biomass installations in the future,” says Explorius CEO Claude du Plessis.

He explains the plant turns coal fines, wood chips, animal waste and other waste products from various sectors into pellets or briquettes, which are either fed back into the plant to produce power or sold to the end-market.

Adding customised binder solutions to the coal pellets or briquettes enables them to maintain the requisite strength to withstand handling, in addition to being waterproof and weather resistant.

The modularised plant can fit into a standard container footprint and can be delivered to site and commissioned within a two-week period.

“We also supply mobile or fixed plants that convert waste into briquettes, so other businesses can enhance their sustainability through their own waste-to-fuel conversion,” he adds.

The plants are provided on a build-own-operate model.

“Our briquettes can offer enhanced calorific value and match handling characteristics of coal.”

Why the Development?

Du Plessis says the search for alternate fuel sources often results in the abundance of redundant materials that could be converted into valuable energy being overlooked.

“While not a substitute, being complementary to all the other energy innovations, waste-to-energy conversion will be an integral part of the energy baskets of the future.”

Explorius is a future-forward business that prides itself on its expertise and knowledge, with numerous key differentiators that set it apart from other providers in the waste-to-energy field, adds Du Plessis.

The company is part of a well-established network of businesses with a long history of regulatory compliance, making it a “well-positioned business for success”, he says.

It also provides turnkey solutions for clients, including the financial backing from its parent companies, consequently enabling Explorius to supply well-equipped plants that can convert waste into a valuable source of fuel and energy.