University urges manufacturers to supply waste for bioenergy tests

Posted on 7 Aug 2013 by The Manufacturer

Aston University researchers have appealed to West Midlands manufacturers to supply them with industrial and manufacturing waste to be tested for suitability to produce bioenergy.

The European Bioenergy Research Institute (EBRI), based at the university, has developed Pyroformer, a new technology which is able to generate cost-effective heat and power from its use of multiple waste sources.

EBRI has now called on businesses with sources such as food and agricultural waste, sewage sludge, and manure and biomass, to continue the development of the Pyroformer product by providing their waste.

Tim Miller, director of operations at EBRI, told ITV Central: “The city of Birmingham, for instance, has the potential to power itself using the waste it produces.”

“It is crucial that EBRI is able to source waste products to run and develop our technology without having to transport it long distances and we are keen to source these waste streams from within the West Midlands.”

So far it has been trialled domestically and abroad in Germany and India, with hopes that it could benefit businesses serving a wide range of sectors.