Comparison

The Plasma Gasification Solution offers the potential for increased revenues, reduced operational risks, and superior environmental performance when compared to other technologies. We are the sole company with commercial reference facilities.

 

Comparison to Incineration

 

The table below outlines the numerous advantages of gasification technology over incineration for the treatment of MSW.

 

 

Gasification Technology

Incineration

Feedstock Flexibility

Ability to mix feedstocks such as:

  • MSW
  • Industrial Waste
  • Commercial & Industrial Waste
  • Hazardous Waste
  • Tires Waste
  • Biomass Fuels (such as wood waste)

MSW and other common waste streams

Fuel Created

Syngas (Carbon Monoxide and Hydrogen)

Not applicable

End Product Opportunities

  • Replacement Fuel for Natural Gas and Fuel Oil
  • Power via Steam cycle
  • Power via Combined cycle or Reciprocating Engines
  • Power via Fuel Cells (future)
  • Process Steam
  • Liquid Fuels (ethanol, bio-diesel)
  • Hydrogen
  • Fertilizer Compounds
  • Power via Rankine Cycle (Steam Cycle)
  • Process Steam

Overall Plant Efficiency

Combined Cycle Process: 1 tonne of municipal solid waste is capable of creating 1000 kWh of power via combined cycle configuration

Steam Cycle Process: 1 tonne of municipal solid waste generates between 500-650 kWh of power

Emissions

Combined Cycle Process:

  • Nitrogen Oxide (NOx): <36 ppmvd
  • Sulfur Dioxide (SO2): <1.05 ppmvd
  • Mercury (Hg): <1.4 μg/dscm²
  • Nitrogen Oxide (NOx): 110-205 ppmvd
  • Sulfur Dioxide (SO2): 26-29 ppmvd
  • Mercury (Hg): 28-80 μg/dscm²

Dioxins and Furans

High operating temperature (>1000°C) in conjunction with an oxygen starved environment destroys any dioxins/furans that may be present in the feedstock, and eliminates the potential for the creation of dioxins/furans.  Rapid syngas cooling via water quench prevents de-novo synthesis of dioxins and furans.

The presence of oxygen, chlorine, and particulate creates the right conditions for the formation of dioxins and furans.

Byproduct

Inert, non-hazardous and non-leaching glassy slag salable as an aggregate building product. Most particulate recovered during cleaning of the syngas is recyclable.

Hazardous fly ash and scrubber residues plus incinerator bottom ash

 

Comparison to Other Plasma Gasification Technologies

 

 

Gasification Technology

Other Plasma Technologies 

Commercial Reference Plants

Three commercial references.  Two others under construction.

Most have no commercial reference plants.

Operational Experience

Greater than ten years

None, except that some competitors have experience at small demonstration plants

Demonstration Plant

Yes, up to 24 tpd

Some competitors have a demonstration plant.  Some are at lab scale.  Some do not have a demonstration plant.

Plasma Gasifier Design

Simple single vessel design

Most competitors employ a multi-step design.

Plasma Torch Technology

30 years experience.

Must be purchased.  No expertise in plasma torches.

Scale

Up to 1000 tpd in a single vessel.  Continuous feeding.

Up to 150 tpd for some competitors.  Some competitors use batch feeding.

 

Comparison to Non-Plasma Gasification Technologies

 

 

Gasification Technology

Non-Plasma Gasification Technologies 

Syngas Quality

Tar free syngas suitable for clean-up to specifications required by gas turbines, reciprocating engines, liquid fuel technologies and fuel cells.

Syngas must be immediately combusted before being cleaned.

Feedstock Flexibility

Ability to mix feedstocks such as:

  • MSW
  • Industrial Waste
  • Commercial & Industrial Waste
  • Hazardous Waste
  • Tires Waste
  • Biomass Fuels (such as wood waste)

Limited ability to process waste streams other than MSW.Lower temperatures limit feedstock flexibility

End Product Opportunities

  •  Replacement Fuel for Natural Gas and Fuel Oil
  • Power via Steam cycle
  • Power via Combined cycle or Reciprocating Engines
  • Power via Fuel Cells (future)
    Process Steam
  • Liquid Fuels (ethanol, bio-diesel)
  • Hydrogen
  • Fertilizer Compounds

Power via Steam cycle Process Steam

Byproduct

Inert, non-hazardous and non-leaching glassy slag salable as an aggregate building product. Most particulate recovered during cleaning of the syngas is recyclable

Similar to incineration – hazardous fly ash and scrubber residues plus bottom ash.