What is Gasification?
Gasification is a process that converts carbonaceous
materials, such as coal, petroleum, biofuel, or biomass,
into carbon monoxide and hydrogen by reacting the raw
material, such as house waste, or compost at high
temperatures with a controlled amount of oxygen and/or
steam. The resulting gas mixture is called synthesis gas
or syngas and is itself a fuel. Gasification is a method
for extracting energy from many different types of
organic materials.
In principle, gasification can proceed from just about
any organic material, including biomass and plastic
waste. The resulting syngas can be combusted.
Alternatively, if the syngas is clean enough, it may be
used for power production in gas engines or gas
turbines.