We sold our first TORBED gasifier in 2006.
Use of a TORBED processor as a gasifier is one of several thermal biomass processes including drying, torrefaction, gasification and combustion for which our technology is suited. We have treated at test or commercial scale sewage sludge, manure, nutshells, oil palm EFB,, virgin wood, waste wood, RDF, straw and rice husk.
Gasification of biomass results in a combination of syngas and biochar. Syngas, typically a mixture of Carbon monoxide, Carbon dioxide, Hydrogen, Methane and Nitrogen, with some more complex hydrocarbons can be used for power generation or onward chemical processing. When used for power generation, it offers powerhouse flexibility-it can be burned in an afterburner to create heat for a steam turbine, or, cleaned, it can be used to fire gas engines or a gas turbine.
There is evidence that biochar has been used for thousands of years as a soil improver, where its high surface area enables it to retain both moisture and plant nutrients. Biochar produced from straw in a TORBED gasifier has been sold commercially and used for remediation of hydrocarbon spillages.
The TORBED Industrial gasifier brings the technology’s benefit of comparatively small scale, accuracy, control, process intensification and fuel flexibility. Fast reaction rates and high heat and mass transfer contribute to high levels of activation of biochar.