Environmental Clean Technologies advances its COLDry technology demonstration plant
\nTech creates low, net zero and net negative products for agriculture, industry and energy sectors
\nCOLDry is the basis for additional technologies under development, including low-emission steelmaking and hydrogen<\/p>\n
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Special Report:<\/em> Environmental Clean Technologies\u2019 (ASX:ECT) transformative process converts lignite into low, net-zero and net-negative emission products targeting the agriculture, industry and energy sectors that are traditionally hard to abate.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Lignite, commonly known as brown coal, has historically been associated with high CO2 emissions due to its high moisture and extensive use in power generation.<\/p>\n Victoria, Australia, hosts one of the world\u2019s largest lignite deposits, a vast ~430 billion-tonne resource. Traditionally used for CO2-intensive electricity generation, lignite use is declining due to global efforts to achieve net-zero emissions.<\/p>\n However, this is changing, thanks to the innovative efforts of Environmental Clean Technologies (ASX:ECT)<\/strong><\/a> and its groundbreaking COLDry technology.<\/p>\n ECT aims to harness this abundant resource using its patented tech, which offers world-leading efficiency in drying high-moisture lignite with minimal temperature and pressure, providing a zero-emissions solution.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n\n The COLDry technology cost-effectively removes the moisture from lignite, enabling its use in a range of downstream applications to create low, net-zero and net-negative emission products. Pic supplied (ECT)<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n ECT managing director Sam Rizzo highlighted the transformative potential of lignite, a resource often criticised for its high emissions. He explained to Stockhead that lignite holds significant value when its moisture content is reduced cost-effectively and with zero emissions.<\/p>\n \u201cWe developed a low-temperature, low-pressure way to dry the lignite, which achieves this, enabling higher-value applications. In the last three months, we have undertaken detailed \u2018at-scale\u2019 testing to improve this process and minimise the heat required to dry the lignite,\u201d said Rizzo.<\/p>\n \u201cCOLDry is the world\u2019s only zero-emission lignite drying process.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n ECT is set to commercialise its COLDry demonstration facility early next year to showcase its zero-emission process.<\/p>\n \u201cOur immediate focus is agriculture. We have teamed up with ESG Agriculture to produce a granulated lignite-urea product which will benefit farmers and the environment,\u201d Rizzo noted.<\/p>\n A second phase entails integrating a pyrolysis process to develop additional valuable products such as char and syngas.<\/p>\n \u201cThe char products could be refined further into higher-value activated char, with potential applications for filtration, battery carbon and possibly graphene. The syngas is also a feedstock for creating methanol and ammonia, precursors for synthetic fertiliser, or taken a step further to produce clean hydrogen,\u201d Rizzo explained.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Elaborating on the potential for hydrogen production, Rizzo said, \u201cIndependent modelling confirms our COLDry-Pyrolysis process can achieve a net negative carbon footprint for hydrogen production, with lower CAPEX, OPEX, and sustaining CAPEX than green hydrogen facilities.<\/p>\n \u201cThis proven, cost-effective solution aligns with net-zero goals by significantly reducing carbon emissions.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The COLDry process entails breaking down lignite\u2019s capillary structure by introducing a small amount of water, milling it into a paste, and extruding it into pellets for drying.<\/p>\n In collaboration with ESG Agriculture, ECT will incorporate urea into the lignite before extrusion, followed by a granulation step after drying.<\/p>\n Australia\u2019s nutrient-poor soils confront challenges from heavy fertiliser use and land clearing.<\/p>\n \u201cAgricultural applications are an ideal showcase of the benefits associated with COLDry,\u201d Rizzo emphasised. \u201cThis lignite-urea product benefits farmers and the environment by ensuring a consistent nutrient supply, reducing nitrogen emissions, and enhancing long-term soil health.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Beyond COLDry, ECT has also developed technologies that leverage the dried lignite for further innovation. One such technology is the patented HydroMOR process, which uses hydrogen from lignite to process iron ore, reducing CO2 emissions by 35% to 65% compared to conventional methods.<\/p>\n \u201cWe blend lignite with iron ore fines to manufacture \u2018composite\u2019 pellets through our COLDry process, then convert iron ore to iron in a single step using our proprietary HydroMOR furnace,\u201d explained Rizzo.<\/p>\n \u201cOur HydroMOR process reduces emissions at a much lower cost while liberating stranded inventories of waste iron ore fines that are building up worldwide.\u201d<\/p>\n Another emerging technology is COHgen\u2014catalytic organic hydrogen generation. This process combines elements of COLDry and HydroMOR to produce clean hydrogen without the need for carbon capture and storage, further advancing ECT\u2019s contribution to practical energy solutions.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen our COLDry process is combined with pyrolysis, it creates char and syngas. The syngas can be separated to collect the hydrogen. If biomass is blended with lignite, the resultant hydrogen has a net negative carbon footprint. COHgen takes this further, increasing the hydrogen yield and delivering deeper carbon savings,\u201d Rizzo noted.<\/p>\n However, he added that COHgen is still several years away as R&D work needs to be completed before the company can scale up the process.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n After several years of research and development, ECT is now focused on commercialising its technologies.<\/p>\n The Bacchus Marsh demonstration plant is set to deliver a soil health product in collaboration with ESG Agriculture, with future plans to add pyrolysis capability to produce char and validate syngas composition and utilisation.<\/p>\n Strategic investors recently subscribed for a $1.5 million placement<\/a> to advance ECT\u2019s commercialisation strategy, highlighting confidence in the company and its technology.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Various parties\u2019 interest in the Bacchus Marsh demonstration plant indicates strong potential for a commercial rollout, the company says, creating a platform for broader implementation of ECT\u2019s innovative technologies.<\/p>\n ECT owns property adjacent to the Yallourn lignite mine in Victoria\u2019s Latrobe Valley, which is earmarked for commercial development.<\/p>\n \u201cA successful rollout of the scale-up and granulation production at our Bacchus Marsh facility opens the opportunity to develop our Yallourn asset. Plans are in place to partner with established energy companies to produce syngas, methanol, ammonia, DME or hydrogen,\u201d Rizzo added.<\/p>\n \u201cWe bridge the gap between the past, high-emission use of lignite and future high-value, low, net zero and net negative use of the resource.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n This article was developed in collaboration with Environmental Clean Technologies a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing. <\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n The post Environmental Clean Technologies: Transforming lignite with COLDry technology<\/a> appeared first on Stockhead<\/a>.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Lignite\u2019s New Role<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Rehabilitating Lignite<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Commercialising COLDry Technology<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Achieving Net Negative Emissions<\/strong><\/h2>\n
From Dried Coal to Environmentally Beneficial Products<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Interlocking technologies<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Race to Revenue<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Bridging the Gap<\/strong><\/h2>\n