Rapid Retrograde Processing using a Navy On Board Ship Pyrolysis System

Navy shipboard and cargo shipment and transfer operations generate large quantities of bulk waste and non-biodegradable waste products that (a) utilize valuable storage space aboard ship before it can be disposed of in port and (b) cannot be disposed of overboard within littoral waters because of international environmental legislation (MARPOL). The objectives of this program are to develop a system that will process biodegradable (food, cardboard, wood) and non-biodegradable (fiberglass, Styrofoam, glass, metal strapping/banding) waste to produce minimal residual waste and operate in an environmentally responsible manner. Infoscitex, with the support of QinetiQ North America, propose a pyrolysis system for on-board use. This system burns waste at very high temperatures without using oxygen and leaves behind an ash that is about 10 percent of the original volume and that can safely be stored aboard ship until it reaches port. To date pyrolysis has been used mainly for organic materials. In the proposed Phase I program a small laboratory unit will be developed to demonstrate the pyrolysis of non-biodegradable waste. This system will be designed such that it can be scaled up for shipboard use and be compact and easily retrofitted to existing platforms or installed on future platforms.