Biomass Gasification Entity Gains Momentum
A few months ago I wrote about the potential for Michigan to become a leader in converting biomass to energy. We now are reading a lot about the occupant of the new Renewable Energy Renaissance Zone in the City of Kentwood which has various projects underway to convert biomass to energy. Heat Transfer International, Inc. specializes in biomass gasification/electric power generation systems that convert solid and semisolid biomass, such as animal waste, municipal solid waste, and forestry residues, into a combustible gas that can be used to power generators, dryers, heating and cooling equipment.
One of its Michigan projects, converting turkey litter to steam and electricity, is set for commercial operation in mid-October. An energy developer is negotiating to install the HTI technology at a Michigan landfill site to process municipal solid waste.
A key element of the patented processes is powering a jet turbine engine with hot air to produce electricity. The MPSC has awarded HTI $2.3 Million in grants to establish testing operations to facilitate the gasification technology and measure emissions from various biomass feedstocks. It can therefore provide all the information needed for air quality permitting prior to installation taking place. It will simply run samples of the fuel to be used through its testing facilities and get a printout of the air emissions. It is thinking and planning like that which will make this Michigan based engineering group a success in the already crowded biomass to energy field.
