Gasification occurs in a Westinghouse Plasma Gasification System when carbon-containing feedstocks – such as municipal solid waste, industrial waste, biomass (wood chips, agricultural straw, etc.) – are exposed to extremely high temperatures (over 5,000°C/10,000°F) in the presence of controlled amounts of steam, air and oxygen. 

The feedstock reacts in the gasifier with the steam, air and oxygen to produce a synthesis gas (syngas) and slag. Syngas, composed primarily of carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen (H2) and other gaseous constituents, and can be used for industrial purposes (as a substitute to natural gas).

Non-gaseous, inorganic components in the gasified feedstock (i.e., the rocks, dirt and other impurities which do not gasify) separate and leave the bottom of the gasifier as a glass-like slag. Slag, which is environmentally benign and resembles glass, is a marketable aggregate material with a variety of uses in the construction and building industries. 

Plasma Gasification is Energy Efficient:

• Alter NRG Plasma Torches use 2% to 5% of the energy input
• Facility Exports 80% of the energy input to clean syngas (for every Btu of energy used internally - four to five Btu’s are produced)