Plasma Gasification

Plasma Gasification technology consists of a plasma gasification reactor, similar to a foundry “cupola,” with multiple plasma torches mounted near the bottom. Upon energizing the torches with electricity and injecting compressed air, they produce a plume of superheated air approaching 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The high temperature, and controlled oxygen-starved atmosphere maintained inside the cupola converts organic matter (e.g. biomass, municipal solid waste, coal) to a gaseous fuel known as synthesis gas, or “syngas.” Upon exiting the cupola, the raw syngas is cooled and cleaned of impurities, resulting in clean gas that can be used to generate electricity and/or steam. NRG has proposed to employ plasma gasification technology to repower and re-fuel (with biomass) our 120 MW Somerset Power Station that is currently fueled primarily with coal.