Presentation of the “Innovation in Vacuum Busch Award 2020”: (from left to right) Dr Karl Busch, Ayhan Busch, Oyvind Hansen Billing (General Manager Busch Vakuumteknikk AS), Hans-Christian Felde (Procurement Director Quantafuel ASA), Ayla Busch, Kaya Busch
Designed to recognise individuals or businesses that have come up with innovative sustainable applications of vacuum technology, Quantafuel received the award – the presentation of which was delayed due to Covid-19 – for its technology that is contributing to solving the global waste problem.
Using Busch-developed vacuum technology for pyrolysis, Quantafuel has enabled the conversion of various types of plastic waste into environmentally friendly fuel and chemicals.
The pyrolysis process involves the melting of recirculating plastic waste and subsequent generation of mineral oil out of the pyrolysis gas.
Busch’s Dolphin liquid ring vacuum pumps are then used to degas during the pyrolysis process before the gas is compressed for further downstream process.
With a plastics recycling plant planned for the Port of Sunderland, Quantafuel is set to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and create 200 jobs in the area.