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Gasification - What is it?

Gasification as it pertains to wood boilers is a process where the usual emissions from burning wood are forced through a bed of burning coals along with oxygen to produce combustion resulting in a flame burning around 2000°. The heat produced by this secondary combustion is then transfered to the water in the boiler via heat exchange tubes resulting in stack temperatures around 400°. Most gasification boilers operate at efficiences of 85% or better and are often referred to as being smokeless due to the reduced emission.

The folowing information comes from: Wood Gasification Research

History of Wood Gasification:
The gasification process was developed in the 1800s to
produce town gas for lighting and cooking. Wood gasifiers,
called Gasogene, were used to power motor
vehicles in Europe during WWII fuel shortages.

Environmental Benefits of Wood Gasification:
• Reduce carbon dioxide emissions (Greenhouse gas)
• Reduced fossil fuel consumption
• Reduce SO2 and NOx emissions (acid rain gases)
• Expanded range of uses of gas over solid fuel
• Method to produce hydrogen for fuel cells