Tennessee city to implement innovative waste-to-energy system

The environmentally friendly system converts a wide range of waste materials or renewable biomass to a low-emission substitute for natural gas or other fossil fuels.

PHG’s biomass gasification waste-to-energy system will be built adjacent to the wastewater treatment plant on city owned property. The waste to be used, approximately 12 tons per day, is primarily composed of woody biomass from the city’s collections. The use of biosolids from the treatment plant is also being investigated as a possible fuel for the gasifiers.

PHG's biomass gasification waste-to-energy system.

PHG’s technology combines a state-of-the-art downdraft gasification system with thermal oxidation equipment and a 125 kilowatt Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) power generator, manufactured by General Electric, to produce electric power.

ORC generators offer low operating and maintenance costs while running without the need for constant attendance by an operator. Combustion of producer gas within the thermal oxidizer provides heat to power the system while maintaining emission levels comparable to the use of natural gas.

Covington Mayor David Gordon found opportunity with the PHG system to reduce the landfill and transportation fees for 360 total tons of previously landfill- bound waste material the West Tennessee city of approximately 9,000 residents produces each month. PHG integrates established commercial technologies into one innovative system that simultaneously eliminates waste and produces heat that will be used for feedstock drying and the production of electricity.

“Covington may be a small city, but we’re constantly looking toward the future in our thinking and planning,” said Mayor Gordon. “We want to embrace technology that fits our situation, and this system lets us turn waste into an opportunity. Working with PHG is a win-win for Covington. It helps our environment and it helps our city financially. Simply put, we’re doing the right thing, in the right way, for the right reason.”

“We looked closely at a PHG gasification facility in a nearby city, and thoroughly vetted the company before entering into this agreement. This system is a terrific financial solution to transportation costs and tipping fees we’ve been paying to get rid of waste, and keeps thousands of tons of material out of landfills each year.”