Gasification is a process that converts carbon-containing materials, such as coal, petroleum coke, municipal solid waste, biomass or bitumen, into a synthesis gas, (syngas), composed primarily of carbon monoxide and hydrogen.
Gasification occurs when a carbon-containing feedstock is exposed to steam at elevated temperatures and/or pressures in the presence of controlled amounts of air or oxygen. Syngas can be used as a fuel to generate electricity or steam, or used as a basic chemical building block in the petrochemical and refining industries.
Alter Nrg uses gasification to convert low-value feedstocks into environmentally-responsible high-value energy products through the development of innovative projects.
Gasification Worldwide
According to a 2004 World Gasification Survey, over 100 gasification plants are operating in 24 countries with 15% of the plants located in North America. The predominant feedstock is coal (49%), followed by petroleum (37%) and other carbon based materials such as natural gas, petroleum coke, biomass or municipal solid waste. The primary product is syngas from which other marketable products are generated, including chemicals (37%), liquid fuel (36%), power (19%) and gaseous fuels (8%).
