Licensing agreement for unique gas scrubbing system signed

On Wednesday 22 November, ECN (Energy research Centre of the Netherlands) and Dahlman Industrial Group B.V. signed a licensing agreement for the OLGA gas scrubbing technology in Petten. The gala meeting was attended by the project leaders of both parties. In close collaboration with Dahlman of Maassluis, an oil-based gas scrubbing plant has been developed at ECN in Petten: the OLGA oil gas scrubber. The partnership was sealed with the signing of the licensing agreement on 22 November. This officially gives Dahlman a worldwide licence to build the OLGA technology as of 18 July 2006.

The OLGA technology developed by ECN, which is incorporated in the 4MWth ‘green’ power station in Moissanes in France, is performing excellently. This unique technology brings the operation of power stations that can run entirely on biomass many steps closer. The operation and realisation of the project are in the hands of the French company Eneria and its partner SOREA. The building of the plant was made possible by a subsidy from the French government for constructing six 50MWth power stations to gasify wine residue and waste wood.

Frank Egas, managing director of the Dahlman Industrial Group, is clearly enthusiastic about the transfer. “With this agreement, Dahlman has ensured the good commercial prospects of this promising technology and has taken a step towards its future integration. The R&D budget of an SME such as Dahlman is small, and an efficient, profitable collaboration with a large technological institute is extremely valuable for us.”

Ton Hoff, managing director of ECN, emphasised the importance of the licensing agreement. “Dahlman has found the most suitable strategic partner with the right know-how for commercialising the OLGA technology. The results of the forthcoming endurance test in France will be used jointly by ECN and Dahlman to improve the plant.”

ECN is one of the leading research institutes in Europe in the field of biomass. The Biomass, Coal & Environmental Research Unit conducts research and provides advice for policy formulation, technical applications and technological developments.

Energy research Centre of the Netherlands
Dahlman Industrial Group B.V.

End of press release

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Note for editors:
For more information, please contact Jan Willem Erisman, Biomass, Coal & Environmental Research Unit Manager, telephone +31 (0)224 - 56 41 55 or e-mail erisman@remove-this-part-ecn.nl. Or contact Harold IJskes, press officer, telephone +31 (0)224 - 56 40 50, mobile 06 - 127 98 123 or e-mail ijskes@remove-this-part-ecn.nl.

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