Image of flame plasma pyrolysis process to turn wet coffee grounds into solid fuel (Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources)

By Koh Hyunjeong

A domestic research team has developed a technology that turns wet coffee grounds into solid fuel in just 90 seconds.

Led by principal researcher Park Tae Jun from the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, the team on May 20 said its method uses no separate drying process.

The process uses flame plasma at 800-900 degrees Celsius to treat wet coffee grounds. Unlike conventional pyrolysis processes, the lack of moisture removal process makes processing time at least 40 times faster.

Experiments showed that grounds treated for 90 seconds exhibited solid fuel properties similar to those of typical anthracites. The calorific value rose about 33% from untreated grounds.

The method is considered eco-friendly as it emits no sulfur oxides and almost no secondary pollutants such as smoke and tar.

"This technology uses waste as an energy resource," Park said. "We plan to expand the scope of its application to other organic waste with high moisture such as food waste."

hjkoh@korea.kr