About Us
Pacific Edge Holdings and it subsidiaries, are committed to the extraction of maximum economic value from the world's extensive brown coal (lignites) and peat reserves, but with a dramatic reduction in the environmental impact.
Brown coal is generally comprised of more than 50% water, with the balance made up of varying percentages of 'fixed carbon' and hydrocarbons.
Brown coal is currently considered the "worst" of the carbon sources due to its emission levels. Its fundamental use has been for the generation, close to the mine sites, of very low cost electricity. The removal of the moisture content requires a significant amount of energy. Because of the reduced energy available for electricity generation, the Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions per Megawatt are very high.
Our process allows the selective combustion of only the low emission natural gas equivalent hydrocarbons for the production of the heat required for removal of the water and the generation of electricity. This enables the generation of electricity at the same low emission levels obtained currently by using high cost natural gas.
Our patented technology transforms the remaining 'fixed carbon' into high value carbon, metallurgical coke, or activated carbon. In addition, our process allows the recovery and re-use of all of the moisture contained in the raw coal.
Alternatively, and although not the optimum economical or environmental outcome, our technology can produce a dry brown coal which is safely transportable.
Our technology has operated on a continuous basis at a Pilot Plant in Victoria, Australia at a rate of up to 5 tonnes per hour. Our technology and process has been operated with both Victorian and overseas lignites. We are now seeking to apply our technology in areas which have need for low cost, low emission electricity, water and value-added carbon - in commercial quantities.
Detailed Engineering Design of a fully integrated 25 tonne per hour Test & Development Plant has been completed and this is currently being uprated to 50 tonne per hour. We propose to construct this facility in Victoria's Latrobe Valley. This will be constructed subject to obtaining the necessary funding of A$30 Million.
