A plasma gasifier is an oxygen starved vessel that is operated at the very high 

temperatures achievable with plasma. Because the environment inside the vessel is 

deprived of oxygen, feedstock that is processed in the gasifier is not combusted. 

Rather, the heat breaks the feedstock down into elements like hydrogen and simple 

compounds like carbon monoxide and water. The gas that is created is call synthesis 

gas or “syngas”. 

 

Most feedstocks, including municipal solid waste, contain both organic and inorganic 

components. The organic components are converted into syngas. The inorganic 

components, like glass, metal and concrete, are melted inside the reactor and flow out of 

the bottom as a non-toxic vitrified molten slag which can be used safely as aggregate.

 

The heat from the plasma torch systems and the relatively long residence time in the 

gasifier ensures complete destruction of the feedstock and allows for the processing of 

high moisture feedstock or feedstock containing high levels of inert materials like glass 

and metals. 

 

The syngas created in the gasifier, which contains dust (particulates) and other 

undesirable elements like mercury, undergoes a clean-up process to make it suitable for 

conversion into other forms of energy including power, heat and liquid fuels. The syngas 

clean-up process is tailored to meet the requirements for each project. But in most 

cases, especially where MSW is the feedstock, the syngas clean-up will include 

particulate removal, sulphur removal and mercury/heavy metals removal.