New York starts gasification pilot project

A new research programme in New York involving students from Clarkson University, Potsdam, New York, will convert one ton (US ton) of waste per day into renewable energy, according to a report by the Watertown Daily Times.

According to the media report, the project is a joint venture between Clarkson and One World Clean Energy, an energy provider with the goal to give affordable sustainable energy to underdeveloped communities based in Louisville, Kentucky, and is expected to start operation in 2018.

The waste will be put through a gasification system that converts it into a synthetic natural gas. The gas will be used to create heat energy and electricity, the report maintained. One World Clean Energy will bring a modular system designed to handle 100 tons of mixed waste per day to the site. The Watertown Daily Times said that the transfer station processes around 50 tons of waste per day.

Some leachate from the transfer station can also be used in the gasification system, and the by-product created during processing can be used for soil fertiliser, the report explained..

Clarkson students will operate the pilot facility with supervision from One World Clean Energy and collect data for the development and commercial stages of the project. If successful, the report said the county will consider it as a new disposal option.