What is gasification?
Gasification is a process used to turn solid materials into a clean
synthetic gas for energy generation. The process works at high temperatures
in an enclosed and controlled environment. The process is proven
to work and meets the most stringent standards for emissions in
the world.
In East London the solid materials for gasification are those
left from the treatment of household waste. Each 10,000 tonnes
of waste put into the process can produce enough gas to generate
1MW energy – the equivalent of burning 5,000 tonnes of coal
– and all from sustainable sources.
The Sustainable Energy Facility will take materials left from
waste treatment which could otherwise by landfilled or incinerated
– and carefully turn them into energy, c. 64% of which is
classed as ‘renewable‘.
The next generation of clean fuels
The Sustainable Energy Facility will produce renewable energy
and reduce landfill. But, that’s only the start of the story.
Using gasification the fuel made from waste left after recycling
and composting is broken down into its chemical parts (hydrogen,
carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and water). In time it will be
possible to reassemble these parts through different processes
to form cleaner fuels for vehicles. In the future it will be possible
to produce hydrogen – the ultimate zero emissions fuel. |
