1) Wood chips or other biomass materials are loaded into the gasifier.
2) In the gasifier the biomass is mixed with hot sand (1,800º F), turning it into product gas and residual char. A small amount of steam and the rapid release product gas provides the conveying force for the reaction.
3) The residual char and cooled sand (1,500 º F) are separated from the product gas by a cyclone separator and discharged to the combustor.
4) The sand is reheated in the combustor by adding air and burning the residual char. The reheated sand is removed from the combustion gas by a cyclone separator and returned to the gasifier.
5) The product gas is cleaned in a scrubber and can be used for a variety of applications such as direct use in gas turbines, boilers, fuel cells or the production of chemicals.
6) The flue gas is a valuable source of heat that can be recovered for uses such as biomass drying, steam production or direct heating.