Gasification

Gasification turns waste into an energy-rich fuel gas by heating the waste under controlled conditions.  

Gasification involves the conversion of waste in a high temperature (between 400C and 800C), low oxygen environment to produce a synthesis gas (a mixture of methane, hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide) and a char residue. 

The synthesis gas can be fed directly into engines to produce electricity, combusted with air to make steam which is then used to produce electricity, or sold as a gas fuel similar to natural gas. 

The gasification process occurs in a gasifier - an enclosed vessel under controlled conditions within a building.

For further details on the gasification process, please download the information sheet below.

• Reduces greenhouse gas emissions and capable of diverting around 90% (by volume) of council waste from landfill
• Produces a marketable product (electricity) and has a high recovery rate of resources. A 90,000 tonnes per annum facility would export an approximate surplus of 7MW, equivalent to powering around 10,500 homes
• Minimal risk of health consequences
• Low risk of water pollution
• Low risk of odours
• Net energy producer
• Commercially proven technology used particularly in Norway, Japan and Sweden.

• The overall energy efficiency of the process can be improved if waste heat can be used by other industries or facilties offsite but this is difficult with isolated gasfication facilities
• Recovery and use of the bottom ash in other applications can be problematic