A 200 kg/h fluid bed reactor derived from the University of Waterloo work was originally constructed in 1986 by Encon for wood and peat pyrolysis. The unit was constructed on the back of a trailer for transportation to test sites for demonstration. This is now used for processing old telegraph poles, These have their outer skin of treated wood removed and which is then pyrolysed in a 50 kg/h fluid bed pyrolyser for recovery of chemicals including creosote and PCP as well as bio-oil. Up to 30,000 poles per year are processed. The skimmed poles are re-treated and recycled (17).

3.5.1.6 ____ Other activities

More fundamental studies are being carried out in several laboratories including the University of Hawaii (18) and the University of Montana (19).

3.5.2 Europe

In Europe the situation is more varied but less developed with only one substantia! pilot plant. Most interest has been stimulated by the EC JOULE and AIR programmes over the last 8 years.

3.5.2.1 CPERl (Greece)

A small fluid bed reactor has been operating for several years to provide pyrolysis liquids (20) from which phenols and related chemicals are recovered for production of oxygenates such as methyl aryl ethers for use as gasoline additives (21).