Today, QinetiQ announced that it has been awarded a contract from the U.S. Army to to develop and deliver PyTECâ„¢, an ISO containerised Pyrolysis Waste Disposal System. The indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract is worth almost $2.4 million over three years.
The the PyTEC system is able to operate 24/7 and process up to 100kg of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) per hour, and also reclaims up to 500 kW of the thermal energy from the waste per hour, a proportion of which will be used to sustain the process for electricity generation. The self-sustaining thermal pyrolysis process is designed to meet environmental challenges and delivers a significant reduction in operating costs when compared to incineration or contracting for other methods of waste management and disposal.
Being tested to Technology Readiness Level (TRL 9) this programme for the US Army is currently in the system design, demonstration and testing phase. Plant commissioning and testing is due to commence next spring with delivery expected by mid year, followed by an extended US Army conducted testing and evaluation trial period, continuing through to early 2012.
“The US Army’s introduction of the PyTEC Pyrolysis Waste Disposal System solution should provide a dramatic increase in sustainability and force protection, †stated Lt Col Daryl “Rick†Harger, Product Manager Force Sustainment Systems, part of Program Executive Office Combat Support and Combat Service Support (PEO CS&CSS). “The PEO’s mission is to focus on equipping and supporting the joint war fighter through the development and fielding of systems with increased capability which support DoD objectives and enable a more expeditionary force.â€
