Clean Energy Technologies, Inc. (CETY), a clean energy technology company based in the United States, has announced the launch of a new platform designed to integrate its High Temperature Ablative PyrolysisPyrolysis is a thermochemical process that converts waste biomass into bio-char, bio-oil, and pyro-gas. It offers significant advantages in waste valorization, turning low-value materials into economically valuable resources. Its versatility allows for tailored products based on operational conditions, presenting itself as a cost-effective and efficient More (HTAP™) technology with anaerobic digestion (AD) facilities. This development targets existing and planned AD and renewable natural gas (RNG) plants, aiming to enhance their operational efficiency. By processing hard-to-digest biomassBiomass is a complex biological organic or non-organic solid product derived from living or recently living organism and available naturally. Various types of wastes such as animal manure, waste paper, sludge and many industrial wastes are also treated as biomass because like natural biomass these More and digestate, the platform is engineered to increase the production of renewable energy while simultaneously generating carbon-rich biocharBiochar is a carbon-rich material created from biomass decomposition in low-oxygen conditions. It has important applications in environmental remediation, soil improvement, agriculture, carbon sequestration, energy storage, and sustainable materials, promoting efficiency and reducing waste in various contexts while addressing climate change challenges. More.

The anaerobic digestion sector has long faced distinct operational hurdles that limit maximum efficiency. A primary challenge is the biological limitation of AD systems; specific organic feedstocks possess low biodegradability, which restricts the total volume of biogas an operator can produce. Furthermore, the industry contends with the significant burden of digestate management. Digestate often retains more than 55 percent of unprocessed volatile solids, necessitating extended composting periods and incurring substantial handling and disposal costs for facility operators. These factors effectively cap the economic and environmental performance of standard AD installations.

CETY’s solution addresses these inefficiencies by coupling thermochemical conversion with biological processes. The HTAP™ system processes forestry residues, agricultural waste, and AD digestate at high temperatures to produce clean syngasSyngas, or synthesis gas, is a fuel gas mixture consisting primarily of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. It is produced during gasification and can be used as a fuel source or as a feedstock for producing other chemicals and fuels.   More. When integrated with anaerobic or catalytic methanation systems, this syngas can be upgraded into pipeline-quality RNG. Critically, the technology also converts the digestate stream into biochar. This process not only reduces the volume of waste requiring disposal but also eliminates pathogens and stabilizes the carbon content, rendering the output suitable for various agricultural and industrial applications.

The reported outcomes of this integration suggest a shift in the economics of RNG production. CETY data indicates that a single HTAP™ unit can support the production of approximately 13 MMBtu per hour of additional RNG. Regarding digestate, the system can potentially generate up to 1.3–1.6 MW of onsite power or 8 MMBtu per hour of supplementary RNG. Financially, the company projects that the combined platform could generate over $3 million annually in incremental RNG value for a commercial installation, excluding the additional revenue streams from biochar sales and avoided waste management costs.