Environmental FAQ
Find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about plasma gasification technology.
What is plasma gasification? (Basic definition)
Put simply, plasma gasification is a waste disposal technology that uses extremely high temperatures to convert solid matter into its basic elemental form to produce a synthesis gas (syngas) that can then be used to produce steam, electricity, or even bio-fuels.
What is plasma?
Plasma is a highly ionized or electrically charged gas. An example
in nature is lightning, capable of producing temperatures exceeding 7,000°C
(12,600°F).
Who is AFE’s preferred plasma gasification technology provider?
Westinghouse Plasma Corporation (WPC)
- Wholly owned by Alter NRG, Calgary
- Previously a subsidiary of Westinghouse Electric Corp.
- 30 years of plasma and plasma gasification experience
- Technology is in commercial use today; not R&D
- Strategic partnerships with Coskata/General Motors, Air Products, NRG Energy
- NRG Somerset, MA biomass conversion using WPC plasma gasification is permitted and recently received a USDOE loan guarantee
Is plasma gasification different than traditional incineration?
Yes. Unlike incineration, plasma gasification produces no potentially hazardous bottom ash and minimal quantities of fly ash or particulate matter, which needs to be landfilled or placed in special facilities with engineered retaining walls. Plasma gasification of MSW to generate electricity produces substantially less emissions per megawatt-hour of electricity produced than traditional mass-burn incineration, and is cleaner, higher in energy conversion, and better for the environment. Lastly, up to 50% more electricity can be produced per ton with gasification as compared with incineration.
What kind of power can this technology provide?
Electric power generated per ton of MSW processed is can be up to 50% greater
than traditional mass-burn incineration. One ton of waste can produce approximately
1000 kwh of electricity, enough electricity to power a typical American
household for a month.
Glossary of Terms and Acronyms
Feedstock
The waste streams that undergo plasma gasification and are converted
into syngas and inert, vitrified slag.
Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)
Also referred to as urban solid waste—or more commonly known
as trash or garbage—municipal solid waste is a waste stream that predominantly
contains household waste with the addition of commercial wastes collected
by a municipality within a given area.
Plasma Gasification
A waste treatment technology that uses intense electrical energy and
the high temperature created by an electrical arc to break down waste
material into its basic molecular structure.
Slag
The molten material created during the plasma gasification process. It
is non-leaching and inert. Once cooled, it may be crushed and used as
a construction aggregate.
Synthesis Gas (syngas)
A gas produced during the plasma gasification of waste that is comprised
primarily of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The synthesis gas, once cleaned
to remove impurities, can be used as a variety of fuel sources.
Waste-to-Energy (WTE)
This is the general category for technologies that convert waste products,
such as MSW and industrial wastes, into energy.