The 40 Hottest Technologies of 2018 – as voting gets underway, the nominees in depth

FastOx gasification from Sierra Energy

What does it do, how does it work, who is it aimed at?

This technology turns nearly any type of waste into energy and fuels without burning. FastOx gasification can take nearly any type of waste, except radioactive waste, and turn it into energy and fuels without burning. Based on blast furnace technology, the FastOx gasifier reaches up to 4000F, which breaks down the waste at the molecular level. Organic waste is converted into syngas and inorganic waste and metals melt. There are no process emissions or toxic byproducts. This is an ideal technology for waste managers, landfill owners wanting to extend landfill life and limit liabilities, and municipalities to reach net-zero waste goals.

Competitively, what gives this technology an edge?

The FastOx gasification technology has several advantages over competitors: 1. Due to its high temperature it can handle nearly any type of waste including MSW, medical, tires, C&D waste, biomass, and even hazardous wastes 2.It reaches high temperature via chemical reaction of carbon in waste with oxygen. This is more efficient than other technologies due to a lower parasidic load 3. It has no process emissions. It creates only useful byproducts including syngas, inert stone and metals 4. It is based on well-known blast furnace technology so has lower maintenance and easier serviceability 5. Being based on the blast furnace, it can scale to large system sizes 6. It can be profitable without subsidies

What stage of development is this technology at right now?

Commercial-scale system in California is in the very final, last stages of commissioning.

More on the story