XRG to Supply Cutting-Edge Pyrolyzer Heater for University of Wyoming’s (UW) Pyrolysis Field Demonstration Project

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TULSA, OK, and Gillette, WY, February 20, 2025 – XRG and the School of Energy Resources (SER) Center for Carbon Capture and Conversion (CCCC) at the University of Wyoming (UW) are proud to announce their collaboration on the Pyrolysis Field Demonstration Project, an innovative leap in the diversification of coal usage.

XRG was selected to provide the design and fabrication of a pilot pyrolyzer heater at the Wyoming Innovation Center in Gillette, Wyoming. Designed to operate at extremely high temperatures, the pyrolyzer heater is engineered for precise and uniform heat distribution – a key factor in advancing pyrolysis technology.

“We are thrilled to be part of this pioneering project that pushes the boundaries of pyrolysis technology,” said Erwin Platvoet, Chief Technology Officer at XRG Technologies.

This Pyrolysis Field Demonstration Project aims to develop and demonstrate a sustainable coal refinery process at a pre-commercial scale, utilizing coal from the Powder River Basin (PRB). The project is part of a larger development that will incorporate solvent extraction of PRB coal into the design of the pyrolysis process to demonstrate the core technologies of a coal refinery. The coal refinery processes PRB coal using non-thermal methods to generate coal derived products such as building and construction materials, asphalt products, and agricultural soil amendments. The heater is part of the core flash pyrolysis processing unit where coal is decomposed producing char, and valuable byproducts.

“We are excited to collaborate with XRG on our field demonstration project,” stated Trina Igelsrud Pfeiffer, Director of the Center for Carbon Capture and Conversion at the School of Energy Resources. “This partnership advances the vision of our coal refinery while integrating practical expertise in equipment design.”

The Pyrolysis Field Demonstration Project marks a significant step forward in advancing coal conversion technologies while minimizing environmental impact.

About XRG Technologies

XRG Technologies, headquartered in Tulsa, OK, is an engineering and procurement firm focused on fired and unfired heat transfer equipment for the refining, petrochemical, and power markets. By providing innovative combustion and heat transfer solutions, XRG advances industries’ ability to achieve energy efficiency and environmental stewardship goals. For more information, visit xrgtechnologies.com.

About University of Wyoming

The University of Wyoming is a public land-grant research university in Laramie, Wyoming, United States. It was founded in March 1886, four years before the territory was admitted as the 44th state and opened in September 1887. The School of Energy Resources at the University of Wyoming is dedicated to advancing energy-driven economic development for the state of Wyoming. Created in 2006, SER enhances the university’s energy-related education, research and outreach. SER directs and integrates cutting edge energy research and academic programs at UW and bridges academics and industry

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ERWIN PLATVOET
As CTO of XRG, Erwin is a true innovator, whose career spans more than three decades in heat transfer and combustion industries. Erwin is a graduate of Twente University in the Netherlands with a MS in Chemical Engineering. Erwin has served the industry around the globe in a variety of roles including Research and Development Engineer, Cracking Furnace Specialist, and Director of Engineering, and now CTO. Erwin holds eight patents in fired heat transfer and emissions control technology, has published numerous papers, and co-authored the John Zink Combustion handbook and Industrial Combustion Testing book. Erwin has been an active member of the API 560 and API 535 subcommittees and taken an active role in revising these standards.
BAILEY HENDRIX
Bailey graduated from Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. Upon graduation, she joined the private sector as an Applications Engineer in Tulsa, OK at a local combustion company where she managed the sales activities for the process burner refining market. She quickly accelerated her career, becoming the Refining Account Manager responsible for all business development and sales of process burners in North and South America. Her strong leadership skills and interpersonal qualities led her to a position as the Western Hemisphere Sales Director for the process burner business, leading a group of sales engineers in the areas of new equipment, retrofits and burner management systems. Her financial and commercial acumen drives the success of XRG Technologies’ business development.
ALLEN BURRIS
Allen’s background includes 10 years of experience in designing and selling process burners. Allen is a graduate of Oklahoma State University with a BS in Mechanical Engineering and is a licensed professional mechanical engineer in the State of Oklahoma. His knowledge and superior customer focus led him to a career change to process design, custom-engineered fired heater sales, and associated sub-systems for the petrochemical, refining and NGL industries. With more than two decades of experience in the combustion and fired heater industry, Allen has what it takes to overcome challenges associated with complex projects and possesses.
TIM WEBSTER
With over 25 years of experience in the combustion industry, Tim brings a wealth of industry experience and technical expertise to XRG. Tim graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from San Jose State University and received a Master of Engineering from the University of Wisconsin. Tim began his career engineering custom combustion systems for a wide range of applications including boilers, heaters, furnaces, kilns, and incinerators. Tim is a licensed professional mechanical engineer in the states of California, Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma, has authored numerous articles and papers, and has co-authored several combustion handbooks.
matt martin
As the Lead Scientist at XRG, Matt has over 30 years of experience in the combustion industry. He specializes in CFD of fired equipment, including UOP platforming heaters, burners in process heaters, thermal oxidizers and flares with over 300 simulations of installed, field-proven equipment. Matt received a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a minor in Mathematics from the University of Tulsa. He has written numerous publications, is listed as inventor or co-inventor on 27 patents and was awarded the title of Honeywell Fellow in 2011 for technical excellence and leadership.
gina briggs
Gina is a native Oklahoman and attended the University of Tulsa, graduating with a BSBA in Accounting. She is a Certified Public Accountant and Chartered Global Management Accountant. Gina began her career with the Tulsa office of Deloitte Haskins and Sells, providing audit and tax services. Since leaving Deloitte, she has held CFO positions with privately held companies in the manufacturing, construction and distribution industries. In 2013, she began a consulting practice providing contract CFO services to companies, one of which was XRG and joined XRG as CFO in 2019. Gina has always enjoyed working in the small business arena, helping business owners to profitably grow and manage their businesses.