There is an urgent need in Québec to find solutions to reduce fossil coal consumption by large industries to achieve greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets. One promising solution is biochar, but a major barrier to its adoption is the lack of large-scale supply. In this context, Airex Énergie aims to develop a larger-scale technology capable of producing 6 tons/hour of biochar using our patented CarbonFX technology.
The pyrolysis process involves heating organic material, such as biomass, in the absence of oxygen. This process removes moisture and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from raw biomass, transforming it into a solid material with a high calorific value and characteristics compatible with bituminous coal. Low-temperature pyrolysis, also known as torrefaction, occurs at atmospheric pressure at a temperature between 250°C and 350°C. Torrefaction optimizes the material yield of the resulting torrefied biomass, making it an ideal process for producing biochar—a clean, renewable solid fuel.
Additionally, we plan to develop the DryFX drying unit integrated with CarbonFX, utilizing residual energy from CarbonFX to dry biomass from 45% to 18% moisture content.