Supercritical CO2 drying of OCC rejects for fuel conversion
Innovative process utilizing supercritical CO2 to dewater OCC rejects, converting waste to fuel without water evaporation, enhancing fuel value and reducing disposal costs.
Overview
This solution offers a breakthrough method to convert OCC (Old Corrugated Containers) rejects into valuable fuel by utilizing supercritical CO2. This process efficiently dewaters the rejects without evaporating water, thereby significantly reducing energy costs. The primary benefits include the conversion of waste into fuel, reduction in waste disposal costs, reuse of CO2, and potential recovery of long fibers from the rejects.
Technical specifications
The technology leverages supercritical CO2 to displace bulk water and solubilize bound water within wet porous structures such as OCC rejects. Operating at approximately 90°C, this method avoids water evaporation, making it energy-efficient. Post-process, CO2 is separated from water by pressure reduction and then recompressed for reuse. The process is adaptable to various waste streams and can potentially recover long fibers, adding further value.
Technology readiness level
The current stage of development is at TRL 5, indicating that the basic technology has been validated in a relevant environment. Future steps include comprehensive cost feasibility studies and pilot testing using commercially available equipment to transition towards commercial-scale operations.
About North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University is a large, comprehensive public land‑grant research university in Raleigh. Its on‑campus research and technology park co‑locates corporate R&D groups, government partners, and faculty labs, enabling shared facilities, prototyping, and agile contracting. Located in North Carolina’s Research Triangle, partners tap a dense regional ecosystem while engaging through a statewide extension network and a mature co‑op program that deliver field deployment and workforce pipelines. Multiple pilot and demonstration facilities support scale‑up and validation toward pre‑commercial readiness. Research is supported by competitive funding from major federal agencies, including NSF, USDA, DOE, and DOD, and a dedicated technology transfer office with clear IP pathways helps accelerate commercialization.
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