Technology

The Viresco Process is an innovative gasification technology based on a combination of steam hydrogasification and reforming. The process was originally developed by the Bourns College of Engineering – Center for Environmental Research and Technology (CE-CERT) at the University of California, Riverside (UCR). The carbonaceous feedstock is first converted to a fuel gas, containing a significant quantity of methane. This is accomplished by means of steam hydrogasification, where the carbonaceous feed simultaneously reacts with steam and hydrogen. The fuel gas is then subjected to gas cleanup and then reformed to generate synthesis gas (carbon monoxide and hydrogen). In the third step, the synthesis gas is converted in to a synthetic fuel over a high- efficiency catalyst. Examples of such synthetic fuels are Fischer-Tropsch (FT) diesel, methanol and dimethyl ether (DME).  The fuel gas can also be converted into electric power. The production of high energy density liquid fuels such as the FT diesel is the primary focus of Viresco Energy.

Viresco Process offers several advantages over conventional air or oxygen blown gasification processes in the usage of waste streams as feedstocks. Carbonaceous waste streams are localized feedstocks that are available in smaller quantities in several locations. Hence, the Viresco process is attractive since oxygen is not required. An important advantage of this process is the use of a slurry feed which enables the use of wet feedstock such as biosolids. Other thermo-chemical conversion processes using wet feeds such as biosolids spend considerable amount of energy on water removal. However, in the Viresco Process, the co-mingling of biosolids with higher energy content feedstocks such as coal or biomass can help achieve the desired feed to water ratios. Thus, this process offers several advantages and can contribute to reduced greenhouse gas emissions and address environmental concerns.

External reviews of the technology concluded that the Viresco Process has the potential for reduced capital costs and higher conversion efficiencies than conventional partial oxidation based processes. These advantages can be translated into a higher rate of return than the competitive processes.

The Viresco Process is protected by 12 patents and patent applications.