While the race to become the standard in biomass gasification amps up, ThermoChem Recovery International, is emerging as a viable contender in the large-scale technology marketplace. Using a patented steam-reforming process, the biomass feedstock reacts with steam and oxygen in the gasifier to produce a quality syngas that can be used as a replacement for fossil fuels or used as a feedstock for biofuels and biochemicals.
TRI, located in Baltimore, Md., could move to the front of the biomass pack because its syngas ranges from 550-750 BTU per SCF. It can be direct fired in off-the-shelf gas turbines. This gives TRI an edge since more than 98 percent of the gasification systems can only produce a low-BTU syngas. This will appeal to anyone looking to do more than stick it in a boiler and burn it.
The tradeoff to the sophistication that allows for such low emissions is size and complexity. Although TRI bills it as "scalable" that can be reduced to as little as 25 MW, the technology is most economical at a minimum volume of 50 MW. For smaller developers, this could be like trying to park a Suburban in a compact parking spot.
The company is funded and already has a project up and running in Trenton, Ontario. This gives potential investors a chance to see the technology in person and "kick the tires a bit." The company did have one failed project early on, but research shows that it was a case of licensing the design and another firm implemented it in its own way. The U.S. Department of Energy bestowed a $50 million grant as a vote of confidence in the technology.
Better BTU Take: This is an environmentally elegant solution for large-scale projects that willing to embrace technical complexity.
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