Archive for April 1st, 2008
Biomass Gasification Technologies
The SilvaGas process converts forest residue, municipal solid waste, agricultural waste and energy crops – collectively called biomass – into a gas that is directly substitutable for natural gas.Historically, biomass gasification technologies have been based on coal gasification designs. These conventional technologies do not take advantage of the high chemical reactivity of biomass. The SilvaGas process, however, was specifically designed to gasify biomass and utilize the high chemical reactivity of biomass.
The SilvaGas process features a compact plant footprint. It is not an incineration or combustion process,but a true advanced biomass gasification process. The process operates at near atmospheric pressure without the need for pure oxygen.
Including the elimination of net CO2 additions to the environment, the SilvaGas process reduces environmental impact by 90% compared to typical fossil fuel based power plants. It consumes abundant, unused resources that would otherwise be disposed of in landfills or consumed in less efficient ways. It also produces energy from crops that can be cultivated on marginal quality land.
