Waste processing that includes incineration can be made more efficient and less costly through the use of Aikan Technology. By running organic waste streams through an Aikan plant before incineration, valuable resources are extracted from the waste stream in the form of biogas and fertilizer.

Benefits from inserting Aikan treatment of waste before incineration include:

• Higher income as resources captured in the Aikan process (biogas, fertilizer and value-upgraded compost products) are more valuable than incineration output (heat and slag)
• Improved electricity/heat ratio, 40/60 with Aikan processing versus 20/80 if the same waste is incinerated (figures based on conversion of Aikan biogas to electricity using a gas motor).
• Improved calorific value when incinerating the Aikan residual waste fraction.
• Preservation of phosphorous resources in the form of fertilizer and compost products so they do not end up in ashes and slag, contaminated with heavy metals.
• Option to upgrade Aikan biogas for distribution in existing gas grid.
• Option to upgrade plastic impurities for recycling.
• Lower capital expenditures as Aikan capacity costs less than comparable incineration capacity.

The overall energy and value output from Municipal Solid Waste treated using Aikan Technology before incineration of non-organic fractions will be higher than if the entire waste stream was incinerated. Current performance shows 10-20 percent higher energy output compared to incineration.

Solum Gruppen, has successfully cooperated with some of Denmark’s major incinerating waste management companies, showcasing how organic waste streams can be upgraded and at the same time provide more valuable residual fractions with higher calorific value.