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What Is Emissions Reduction?

The emission reduction unit (ERU) serves as an emissions unit issued under a Joint Implementation project in terms of the Kyoto Protocol. An ERU represents a reduction of greenhouse gases under the Joint Implementation mechanism. Additionally, it represents one tonne of CO2 equivalent reduced.[1]

To allow comparison between the different effects of gases on the environment, scientists define multipliers for gases. This compares their greenhouse potency (global warming potential) relative to that of CO2.

One example of a Joint Implementation project resulting in an emission reduction unit is the production of biogases by landfill sites. These gases consist of mainly methane which escapes to the atmosphere if not collected. We deal with methane because it has a 100-year global warming potential multiplier of 25[2] compared to CO2 (i.e. has 25 times the greenhouse potency). Typically, resulting combustion accompanies the collection of methane. Burning one tonne of methane produces nearly 3 tonnes of CO2, thus reducing its greenhouse effect by (25-3=22) ERU.

TCG gasification features a unique, low emissions footprint

  • Syngas exits the gasification process clean and cool.
  • The gasifier fully uses or recycles the process water so that the facility has zero liquid discharge.
  • The gasifier uses its own Syngas output to fire the burner. As a result, emissions reduce compared to burning natural gas.
  • The gasifier can capture and recycle flue gas, including carbon dioxide (CO2), from the external burners. Therefore, this allows for zero air emission capability.
  • Due to its externally heated design, the gasifier could be optionally heated using electricity. Plus, this configuration would produce zero emissions.
  • Ash recovered from the system further processes to recover elements contained in the ash. This ash can also be used in production of cement or used as a fertilizer. Additionally, a portion of the ash also recovers as a bio-char and used as a soil amendment. This provides for carbon capture and sequestration in addition to improved crop performance.

Overview of Design Advantages of Emissions Control

Emissions Control Diagram

The TCG Global technology focuses on the prevention of harmful pollution from carbon utilization. We focus on this rather than removing pollution resulting from conventional combustion. Since the feedstock heats externally, its combustion by-products do not release into the atmosphere and thus not present in the Syngas produced. All feedstock processes in an enclosed and sealed reactor. As a result, this allows contaminants to be efficiently captured and disposed of in ash collectors or through water scrubbing processes. Pollutants such as sulfur and SOx, arsenic, and mercury typically present in many feedstocks do not release into the atmosphere in this design. If part of a combustion-centric process, they would.