Fallgeschichte Mexico City Hydrothermale Karbonisierungsanlage

Frigel chosen for cooling solutions in the hydrothermal carbonization plant of Mexico City.

A revolutionary project that aims to concretely solve the problem of urban waste in Mexico City. The project was carried out thanks to the funds of the Ministry of Energy of the Mexican Government (SENER) and is currently in phase 1 with the assembly of the first module. The plant transforms organic waste into hydrocarbons and coal pellets for the creation of electricity through the gasification process, with the aim of making important steps towards the idea of a "sustainable city".

The complete plan envisages the construction of 36 modules that will treat 2,500 tons of waste per day, producing 300 tons of hydrocarbons. This would put Mexico at the forefront of the world in the management of organic waste, avoiding the emission of almost one million tons of carbon dioxide, equivalent to 10% of the total emissions of Mexico City.

Below is the infographic that represents all the phases of the transformation.

A year ago, the "Gobierno de la Ciudad de Mexico" published the news on its official website in which it talked about the visit to the hydrothermal carbonization plant by the head of government Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo and in which it confirmed the strategic importance of this project because it represents a technological revolution in converting organic waste into hydrocarbons, a vegetable fuel that reduces greenhouse gas emissions practically to zero (go to the news: gobierno.cdmx.gob.mx/noticias/planta-de-carbonizacion-hidrotermal-2/).

The project was collaborated with the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and its realization will provide a solution to the organic waste produced in the city, for the benefit of coal-fired power plants of the Federal Commission for Electric Power (CFE) and cement producers.

THE FRIGEL SOLUTION

The project, at the moment, includes the installation of the following Frigel solution: Ecodry system with two Ecodry 3DK modules, a 3PR control panel, GPP pumping groups with VPN control system, GPS tanks, KTF filtering system, MRM Industrial Chiller.

• ECODRY 3DK - A centralized adiabatic closed circuit cooling system, designed to replace the old technology of evaporative cooling towers. Ecodry is installed outside to discard to the environment the heat extracted from processes, obtaining: better cooling performance with increased heat transfer efficiency; considerable operting cost savings; new standards of environmental impact (reduction of water waste and emissions).
• CONTROL SYSTEM 3PR - A remote control panel for complete real-time control of all Cooling System: parameters, functions, alarms etc., with possibility to connect to a higher monitoring system of all production processes.
• AQUAGEL GPP - Pre-assembled pumping groups, managing flexibly and modularly the flow of water destined to process,  for both refrigeration and adiabatic cooling systems. They are digitally controlled by the 3PR remote controller that always activates pumping capacity required by process in order to maintain pressure in line with set values. In addition, a VFD (Variable Frequency Drive) system was installed to control motor speed according to water flow demand. In this way, pumps can operate at lower speed when required flow is lower, reducing energy consumption and extending motor life. VFD can also protect motor from overloads and other damages.
• AQUAGEL GPS - Storage tanks from 1000 to 5000 liters (265 to 1320 gallons), in stainless steel. They are prepared for combination with pumping groups, both recirculation and process. They are made in various capacities and versions to meet requests of various cooling facilities; connected to the 3PR control panel for electronic level control.
• AQUAGEL KTF - Stainless steel filtering systems complete with electronic control up to 450 m3/h (1980 gpm). Designed to remove any impurity coming from process and filters full flow rates of all processes connected to centralized refrigeration groups and/or adiabatic cooling systems. They are equipped with pressure sensors and are connected to the remote 3PR panel for monitoring pressure drop and automatic maintenance warnings.
• INDUSTRIAL CHILLER MRM - High efficiency industrial chillers, air-cooled from 90 to 580 kW (25 to 165 tons) with multi scroll compressors. The programmable and integrated control system ensures reliable temperature control even in extreme environmental conditions. Operating leaving water temperatures from -5 to 25°C (23 to 77°F) in ambient temperatures up to 55°C (131°F).