Energy

Blended Fuel Solutions NZ (BFSNZ)

Emulsions

BFSNZ provides solutions that allow different types of fuels to be combined to give a result that is fit for a specific purpose. This addresses the emerging problem of combining fuels from different decentralised feed stocks that don't warrant large scale refineries, and making less refined fuels like biocrudes usable as blend stock at low cost. 

Emulsions are particularity useful for combining water and oil based feed stocks.

We have successfully run a water:marine fuel emulsion in a marine auxiliary engine, achieving 3-5% efficiency gains.

Biocrude from sewage

Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of wet wastes involves increasing the temperature and pressure of the water so it reaches close to the supercritical state where it acts as a solvent of organic materials. Depending on the feedstock and process conditions it can produce a good quality biocrude.

Currently BFSNZ is investigating the opportunities to produce marine biofuel blend stocks from sewage sludge and food wastes, using emulsion technologies to clean up the biocrude. HTL of sewage sludge has the particularly advantages of significantly densifying the sludge in a small foot print,  sterilising it and reducing the levels of contamination - PFAS, pharma, microplastics.

Simon Arnold is a technical advisor to BFSNZ and part owner.

Nufuels

Nufuels has developed a small simple integrated energy system, based on pyrolysis, that converts waste plastic bags and bottles into energy suitable for local cooking, baking, drying and electricity. The system is currently being rolled out in the Solomon Islands.

We are also developing decentralised systems to handle difficult wastes in New Zealand, and provide a general consultancy service for businesses that have problems with wastes that include fuels and organic material. We are particularly looking at smaller scale pyrolysis equipment for difficult plastics wastes, and hydrothermal liquefaction for wet wastes such as food and sewage sludge.

Simon Arnold is a technical advisor to Nufuels and a part owner.

Bioenergy Association of NZ (BANZ)

Long-haul transport accounts for around a third of New Zealand's energy GHGs emissions. The best solution for land is uncertain with the options being better batteries and charging, clean gases (e.g. hydrogen), and biofuels. Heavy marine and long-haul air will require drop-in fuels for the medium-term, limiting the options to biofuels or synthetic fuels.

BANZ liquid biofuels interest group is working to reduce the uncertainty in fuels for long-haul land transport, and to lower the cost and increase the supply of biofuels for heavy marine and long-haul aviation.

Simon Arnold is the convener for the group .