Gasification is a process where fuel is heated in very low oxygen atmosphere. Output is a hot and calorific gas, the syngas, composed mainly of CO and H2.

Gasification turns the calorific potential of a solid compound into gaseous form, which optimizes its potential for energy recovery.

Gasification has been largely used over the 20th century to produce gas from coal for homes and industry. This technique went out of use when natural gas appeared from the
60’s.

THE PROCESS

THE CHO POWER PROCESS DECLINES IN 3 MAIN STAGES :

1. FUEL PREPARATION :

The waste is crushed and mixed (the heavy inert parts and metals are taken away) in order to obtain an homogeneous fuel (Solid Refused Fuel – SRF) which is stored in a buffer zone.

2. FROM FUEL TO GAS :

The prepared SRF is introduced in the gasifier to be transformed into gas. The gas is afterwards brought to high temperature to be refined (tars cracking at 1,200°C). This operation is indispensable for using the gas into gas engines. It is then cooled down and filtrated. At the end of this stage, a clean commercial syngas is obtained. This gas can later be used for the production of hydrogen methane or synthetic methane to be injected into the gas distribution network. It is now used to produce efficiently electricity.

3. ELECTRICITY AND HEAT PRODUCTION :

The clean syngas is injected in gas engines generating electricity. Heat from the process is recovered in a steam turbine to produce additional electricity or can be sold to an external customer. The motor cooling circuit generates water at 90°C which can supply a heating network.

ITS ADVANTAGES

CHO POWER ENABLES TO PRODUCE MORE ELECTRICITYFROM THE SAME SOURCE:

The electrical efficiency of CHO Power can reach 35-40%, compared to 18-20% of a combustion cycle and steam turbine.
CHO Power Facility is a real power plant generated locally in a reliable and constant manner.

THE PROCESS ALLOWS A FUEL MADEFROM WASTE WITHOUT THE « NUISANCES »

The CHO Power plants accept a wide range of fuels, from non-hazardous ordinary industrial, commercial or domestic waste as well as refusal of ground vehicles to the most prepared biomass.

The waste is turned into gas which is filtered by a bag filter before being injected into the engines. At chimney we find the result of the clean gas combustion.

The process does not generate dioxin nor furane through the use of high temperature (1,200°C) and in the absence of oxygen.
A typical plant avoids 60,000 tons of waste per year to landfill.

Local and compact power plants for a sustainable management of waste The fuel comes from local resources: waste and biomass are collected around the plant. The plants are adapted to a reasonable supply basin with local flows. This type of plant does not encourage the production of waste and is not opposed to good practice of sorting and recycling.