Heartland Water acquires maker of ionic gasifier

Heartland Water Technology Inc., Hudson, Massachusetts, has acquired Cogent Energy Systems and formed the Heartland Gasification Solutions Division.  

Cogent Energy Systems, founded by plasma scientist Dr. Peter Kong and former U.S. Department of Energy Senior Executive Abraham Haspel, developed the HelioStorm gasifier, a culmination of nearly two decades of research at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). HelioStorm is a proprietary ultra-high temperature, ionic gasifier capable of processing solid, liquid or gaseous feedstocks. Electrically powered and combustion-free, HelioStorm converts organic material into a clean, hydrogen-rich synthetic gas (syngas) that can be used directly for power generation, reformed into liquid fuels or processed for hydrogen recovery, Heartland says in a news release.

Inorganic material is recovered for reuse or sale, including the production of high-value specialty nanomaterials. With temperatures exceeding 10,000 degrees Celsius, the HelioStorm ionic gasifier destroys chemical contaminants, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and heavy hydrocarbons, including assured destruction of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), Heartland says.

“HelioStorm is a new class of ionic gasifier developed through years of dedicated research in plasma technology at INL,” says Kong, Heartland’s chief gasification scientist. “Our goals were ambitious. We wanted a modular gasifier powered by renewable energy, capable of processing a wide range of waste materials and delivering a rich syngas that requires little to no cleanup. This is what we delivered.”

Heartland’s Gasification Solutions Division is focused on solutions for residuals management and recovering value from waste streams.

“With the EPA’s stated intention to name some PFAS compounds hazardous, the industry needs solutions for residuals management with PFAS destruction” HelioStorm Product Manager Jeff Snyder says. “HelioStorm enables Heartland to provide a unique and value-added onsite service for sewage treatment plants, landfills and manufacturing.”

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