Low Cost Energy Vectors for a Microwave Induced Plasma Gasification Sytem

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Increasing the efficiency of energy from waste schemes has been a long-term goal for the sector, especially for advanced thermal treatments (ATTs) such as gasification. Despite ATTs being more efficient than mass burn, there are only a limited number of ATT plants in the UK as the efficiency gains are often to low to overcome high capex/opex costs. We believe that our microwave plasma (MIP) technology will improve the efficiency of ATTs and make them a more viable proposition to generate heat and power from our ever increasing waste arisings. Our research suggests that using the exhaust gases with our MIP technology as a plasma gas, we can generate a hydrogen-rich synthesis gas via plasma reactions, that has a higher CV than current technologies. A higher CV product means that ATTs can generate more power with lower CO2 emissions per unit energy. Our research also suggests that the hydrogen rich gas can be used not only in gas engines and boilers but also in high temperature fuel cells (HTFCs). Given that the cost of HTFC are decreasing, our MIP technology can make the use of this highly efficient fuel cell technology. This project builds on previously funded research and will remove significant barriers to technology uptake for low carbon energy from waste using ATTs and HTFCs.