Exploitation of the Results

A rguably, most countries today are facing problems of increasing shortage of natural resources and serious deterioration of ecological environment. Bioenergy recovery has become one of the key strategies to address this issue, which is expected to produce more renewable energy in large scale by reutilizing biowaste. On the other hand, individual technology, like anaerobic digestion or pyrolysis has been widely applied for bioenergy production. The integration of single process (anaerobic digestion and pyrolysis) is a new concept appearing in recent years but has drawn much attention in degrading and reutilizing biomass for higher bioenergy recovery. To further reduce environment pollution and improve sustainable development, more researches have focused on integrated processes for bioenergy production. However, the SYNAGRON project proposes a new concept; not only the integration of anaerobic digestion with pyrolysis, but also their combination with the steam reforming reaction (SR) for the production of hydrogen rich mixtures (from biogas and bio-oil), which can pave the way for the commercial exploitation of biomass residues in a highly efficient and effective way.

The scientific and technological outcomes of the present project are directly available for use by farmers, enterprises or the state. The economic and environmental benefits from the utilization of the processing plants proposed by the project are apparent to both individuals and governments. State benefits will arise by exploiting a domestic renewable resource as a substitute to fossil fuels and fuel imports as well as by limiting the cost for pollution control and by enhancing regional and national development. Farmers, on the other hand, will have economical rewards by participating into new markets of high value end-products such as bio-products, biofuels and energy. Given the free availability of the agricultural residues and the low cost of the proposed processing plant, quick depreciation of any capital expense is expected and important incomes are then possible.

The potential of the technology proposed herein can also be gauged by the fact that the two companies that participate in the Chinese consortium (BUPEE and BENRAN), will finance BUCT, in addition to the amount BUCT will receive from the managing authority (Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology, Department of International Cooperation). This is the most excellent indication of the SYNAGRON innovation and its potential market impact.

However, this technology potential will also benefit SIRMET, as it is at the core of the Company’s activities. SIRMET will have access to new technology (through the project’s results) and will have established contacts with similar enterprises in China. Thus, it will be in a position to penetrate the Chinese market offering its goods and services, but at the same time, can also be a vehicle for the expansion of the Chinese companies in Greece and the EU.