The SilvaGas process converts biomass into a clean, medium-Btu gas that is directly substitutable for natural gas. The process has a wide variety of applications including high efficiency power production, waste disposal and chemical synthesis.

The SilvaGas process can be scaled into single unit plants ranging in capacity from 100 tons per day to more than 1,000 tons per day. Due to its compact and flexible design, the process can either be integrated into existing facilities or constructed as a stand-alone greenfield facility.

In a gas turbine combined cycle, a 300 ton per day plant would produce enough product gas to generate 23 MW of electricity. This is an increase in power output of up to 50% from the same fuel input, when compared to existing biomass fired boiler systems.

The strength of the SilvaGas process resides in its simplicity - the biomass is rapidly heated with hot sand. The hot sand converts the feedstock into a clean burning medium-Btu gas (450 - 500 Btu/scf). It is important to note that the process operates at near atmospheric pressure and requires no unique equipment or an oxygen plant. In addition, it uses conventional equipment and control technology.

The SilvaGas process accepts a wide variety of biomass feedstocks including prepared municipal and agricultural wastes. The product gass is suitable for chemical synthesis, direct combustion or high efficiency power cycles such as gas turbines or fuel cells.

Due to its vast potential, the award winning SilvaGas process continues to receive support from the U.S. Department of Energy.