steam gasification noTitle


Historical example of a typical gasification process.

What Is Gasification?

To achieve TCG’s gasification, we use heat, pressure, and the injection of ionized water. C + H2O = CO + H2 serves as its basic chemical reaction. The process begins in a heated, oxygen-starved environment (known as the pyrolysis chamber). As a result, it drives off moisture and volatile gases contained in the feedstock. After that, pyrolysis produces carbon char and ash moves into a separate, externally heated gasification reactor. This converts the solid carbon molecule into a gaseous state. Next, we inject ionized water in a process known as steam reformation. This creates a water shift reaction to produce Syngas. The hot Syngas is water quenched and cleansed of its impurities in a proprietary, ionized water treatment system. Subsequently, it delivers a clean, dry Syngas with no liquid discharge from the plant operation.

The TCG process does not serve as a typical gasification process. Normally, this would require the injection of oxygen for the reaction: 2C + O2 + H2O = CO + H2 + CO2. Internal feedstock combustion would require heat presented by C + O2 = CO2. Furthermore, conventional gasification plants produce high amounts of CO2 in their internal combustion processes. The externally heated TCG process actually reduces CO2 through the following reaction: CO2 + C = 2CO. Therefore, the process does not produce harmful combustion by-products.

History of Gasification

Over a hundred years ago, England and the United States used the gasification of coal. The coal produced the countries’ “town gas” to light city streets. Coal literally fueled the German war effort by coal gasification during World War II. Likewise, over 40% of South African motor fuel derives from coal gasification as well as all their aviation fuel. Moreover, major suppliers of gasification technology include Sasol Lurgi, GE, Conoco-Phillips, and Shell with dozens of large, expensive plants operating worldwide. In the U.S. a large gasification plant produces synthetic natural gas in North Dakota. In addition, two integrated combined cycle (IGCC) demonstration plants generate electricity. One operates in Florida and the other in Indiana. Eastman Chemical’s coal gasification plant located in Tennessee once produced all Kodak film for the photography industry. It operated successfully for over 25 years. Moreover, it continues to produce methanol, plastics, and other products for the chemical industry.

What Makes Gasification of Coal Important?

  • Coal serves as an abundant domestic and worldwide energy resource
  • It has highest energy per unit of volume of any fossil fuel
  • Abandoning the use of coal for power generation proposes an unrealistic solution for the world’s future
  • Clean coal technology to produce power without emissions represents the future of economic power generation
  • TCG’s gasification process provides for “Pollution prevention versus pollution control”
  • Using local resources in a clean and efficient manner serves as a key factor in keeping power costs affordable
  • The pricing of coal is relatively stable compared to other forms of energy
  • Supports an industry vital to the economic stability of many regions
  • Compelling economics when converting to clean energy products
  • TCG demonstrates that the technology exists to use coal with potentially zero CO2, Sulfur, NOx and Mercury emissions

CoalCoalCoalCoalCoalCoalCoalCoalCoalCoalCoal

GASIFICATION = "GREENER" COAL EMISSIONS

"GREENER" COAL = Significantly More Consumption With A Fraction Of The Emissions

Coal Fired Power Plant

Gasification Plant With Coal Feedstock

Coal Consumed (tons)

Coal Consumed (tons)

CO2 Emitted (tons)

CO2 Emitted (tons)

CO2 Emitted (tons)

CO2 Emitted (tons)

CO2CO2CO2CO2CO2CO2CO2CO2CO2CO2CO2
Log2Log2Log2Log2Log2Log2Log2Log2Log2Log2Log2

GASIFICATION = "GREENER" BIOMASS EMISSIONS

"GREENER" BIOMASS = Significantly More Consumption With A Fraction Of The Emissions

Biomass Fired Power Plant

Gasification Plant With Biomass Feedstock

Biomass Consumed (tons)

Biomass Consumed (tons)

CO2 Emitted (tons)

CO2 Emitted (tons)

CO2 Emitted (tons)

CO2 Emitted (tons)

CO2CO2CO2CO2CO2CO2CO2CO2CO2CO2CO2
CoalCoalCoalCoalCoalCoalCoalCoalCoalCoalCoal

GASIFICATION = "GREENER" PETRO COKE EMISSIONS

"GREENER" PETRO COKE = Significantly More Consumption With A Fraction Of The Emissions

Petro Coke Fired Power Plant

Gasification Plant With Petro Coke Feedstock

Petro Coke Consumed (tons)

Petro Coke Consumed (tons)

CO2 Emitted (tons)

CO2 Emitted (tons)

CO2 Emitted (tons)

CO2 Emitted (tons)

CO2CO2CO2CO2CO2CO2CO2CO2CO2CO2CO2

The Revolution of TCG Gasification

TCG technology provides many advantages over competing gasification systems:

  1. High efficiency – 89% demonstrated Btu conversion ratios.
  2. Low emissions footprint – both zero liquid discharge and air emissions capability.
  3. Flexible feedstock – any carbon-containing material from biomass to coal to MSW.
  4. Flexible output – electricity, drop-in transportation fuels, alcohols, and/or hydrogen.
  5. Low-cost construction – typically half the cost of competing solutions.
  6. Rapid deployment – 12 to 24 months, typically half the time of competing solutions.
  7. Small footprint – deployable to remote sites, can fit within many established plant sites.
  8. Low operating costs – high availability rates, low-cost parts and maintenance.

Gasification Project Example

Estimated Cost SavingsEstimated Cost Savings

Average Annual Savings: $11,780,000

Cumulative Savings $235,600,000

coal

  • 500 dry tons of coal per day
  • 3 x Solar Titan130 Gas Turbines
  • ORC Combined Cycle
  • 48 Net – 60 Gross MW
  • High Efficiency
  • Low Emissions
  • Cost Competitive
  • Coal Mine site location
  • End-user site location
  • Multi-fuel option (Biomass, MSW, RDF, TDF or blended)