Process Design and Demonstration of the Plasco GPRSTM: A zero-waste omnivorous conversion process for the circular economy

The Plasco Gasification and Plasma Refining System (GPRSTM) was developed and demonstrated at commercial scale for over a decade in Ottawa, Ontario for the purpose of maximizing the conversion of energetic waste to valuable products. It converts minimally prepared solid waste to an ultraclean syngas fuel, hot air, non-leachable slag, and recovers water from the waste for sewer or surface discharge.

The process is omnivorous. Incoming wastes can include Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF), residual biomass from forestry and agriculture, and hazardous wastes. The GPRS is configured in compact 200 tpd process trains. It produces no emissions to atmosphere during conversion. The performance of the unit is guaranteed by a technology performance insurance from New Energy Risk, a division of AXA.

The main markets include making a precursor for hydrogen, liquid fuels and plastics, powering IC engines and turbines, replacing natural gas in industrial applications and treating hazardous wastes.

PlascoSyngasTM has a lower heating value (LHV) that can be tailored across a wide range to suit the end use. For each application, the produced syngas is controlled to consistent and predictable composition and flowrate. Tars are reduced by 99.95%, pH is balanced, sulfur and contaminants are removed to low levels, temperature and relative humidity are tightly controlled, and pressure is regulated. Dioxins and furans are below the level of quantification. Cold gas efficiency is high, and parasitic power usage low. There is no residue sent to landfill.

The paper will explain how tars are destroyed, particulate is completely captured and converted to vitrified slag of commercial value, and dioxin and furan formation is avoided. Examples of projects for making syngas as fuel and hydrogen precursor from biomass are described, as well as a proposal for completely diverting MSW from landfill while making H2 at prices competitive with gasoline and diesel fuel.