Covanta Introduces Commercial Gasification System

Covanta Energy Corp., an owner and operator of infrastructure to convert waste-to-energy, has completed the commercial demonstration testing on what it calls a first-of-its-kind gasification technology. Covanta says the technology has demonstrated the ability to gasify unprocessed post-recycled municipal solid waste (MSW) in a commercial setting, while reducing emissions and increasing energy efficiency.

Covanta notes that the commercial demonstration of the project paves the way for Covanta to offer a new 300-ton-per-day modular system, called CLEERGASTM (Covanta Low Emissions Energy Recovery Gasification).

“We are always working to stay on the cutting edge of technology to convert waste into clean energy,” says Anthony Orlando, Covanta’s president and CEO. “This new gasification technology is truly exciting. Communities interested in emerging technologies can now partner with Covanta’s industry-leading team to assure successful project execution.”

Covanta’s gasification unit has been processing 350 tons per day of post-recycled municipal solid waste and has demonstrated superior reliability at greater than 95 percent availability. Municipal solid waste, which does not have to be pretreated, is subjected to high temperatures and reduced air on the gasification platform, where it undergoes a chemical reaction that creates a synthesis gas (syngas). The syngas is then combusted and processed through an established energy recovery system, followed by a state-of-the-art emissions control system.

“Successfully completing this commercial demonstration was a major step in developing new facilities capable of gasifying unprocessed post-recycled municipal waste,” says John Klett, executive vice president and chief technology officer. “Moving forward, our research and development efforts will continue to improve the syngas quality created in the gasification process.  One day, we anticipate this syngas will be utilized as a fuel in a combined cycle facility and potentially, in the production of liquid fuel.”