• First, unsorted MSW, or any other biomass feedstock, is loaded into a Visiam Thermal Vessel and non-potable water is added to the mix.



• Second, the vessel door is then closed and a vacuum is drawn, after which, the water and materials are heated by internal radiant coils and the vessel is rotated slowly for sixty minutes. During this time, the material is pasteurized, and cellulosic components such as paper, cardboard, leaves, vegetable and food wastes undergo a mild chemical degradation and are structurally broken down.



• Third, once the sixty minutes are complete, the contents of the Visiam Thermal Vessel have been pasteurized and the cellulosic material is reduced to a nearly odorless, damp, easily screened mass while the metal and aluminum cans as well as plastic bottles are washed and de-labeled (in the case of MSW). In addition, the light plastic materials are reclaimable.



• Finally, the Visiam Thermal Vessel is unloaded and the material output is passed via conveyors to a trommel (a rotating 3/4” screen), where the cellulosic/organic residue is separated from the recyclable elements. The metals, plastics and oversized objects emerge from the end of the trommel and are sent on to a separation system.

The separated organic material is then available for land spreading, anaerobic digestion to methane or fermentation to ethanol or chemical conversion through further processing. The total process consumes very little energy and significantly reduces the volume of MSW requiring landfilling – the process results in an 80 – 85% reduction (and in some cases more) in the volume of MSW placed in a landfill.

The Process:

• Accelerates the degradation of the cell walls of organic material through its Vacuum Fractionation Process in combination with the tumbling and heating effects of the Visiam Thermal Vessel thus resulting in a higher release of sugars and other fermentable elements than any other processes.
• Processes eliminates the use of high-pressure steam which degrades the quality of the organics and plastics
• Reduces the volume of MSW, before separation (organics, metals, plastics), by up to 65%
• Recovers up to 25% of the input energy by utilizing a closed loop system
• Operation takes place in a vacuum and only achieves very low pressures at the end of the process; as well the entire system operates at low temperatures. All of which give a better product but lend to a safer workplace at the same time.
• Does not require a boiler and the water loop is closed; thus allowing for non-potable water sources Visiam’s 8’ x 24’ Visiam Thermal Vessel, can process 150 tons per day of MSW; or alternative feedstocks, which annual volume would be based on the bulk density of the product. Other feedstocks and/or a change in the hours of operation will affect the input/output. The vessels can operate in a stand-alone environment or in multiple configurations. Visiam also currently has and is working on other vessel sizes to address additional market segments and feedstocks. These sizes include a 6’x6’ mobile vessel system, 8’x15’ and 8’x32’ vessel system.