What is gasification? Is it a new process?
Simply explained, Gasification operates by feeding carbon-containing materials into a heated and pressurized chamber (the gasifier) along with a controlled and limited amount of oxygen and steam. Any inorganic matter in the feedstock melts and is removed as molten metal and a molten stone called slag, both of which are valuable commodities. Any organic matter in the feedstock vaporizes and is captured as a very clean and high quality synthesis gas (syngas) which consists primarily of carbon monoxide and hydrogen and which can be used to create energy or to produce a very clean diesel or ethanol. Gasification is a technology that has been widely used in commercial applications for more than 50 years in the production of fuels and chemicals. Current trends indicate that the use of gasification will only continue to increase. This is because gasification can accommodate a very wide variety of gaseous, liquid, and solid feedstocks such as coal, oil, and low- or negative-value materials and
