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The power of energy independence...it's your choice!

Biomass gasification: a two hundred year old technology, older than the light bulb, ahead of the technological curve, the only source of clean reliable power, day or night, rain or shine, even when there is no breeze!

The Powerhearth: carefully designed and engineered, the product of nearly fifty years of study and over thirty five years of commercial gasification experience, the Powerhearth, a fully automated biomass gasification system, also known as a "true gasifier", stands ready to deliver a clean, high octane gas, from biomass, suitable for fuel in an engine, turbine, boiler, drier, kiln and many other applications in hospitals, factories, wood processing facilities, residences and businesses around the world!

Small or large, electricity or heat or both, the Powerhearth Team is ready to help you gain true energy independence!

Powerhearth:

• Environmentally Friendly
• Efficient
• Versatile
• Fully Automatic
• Technologically Advanced
• Economical
• Fully Supported, Lifetime Warranty
• Award Winning Tradition

Environmentally Friendly

The Powerhearth uses solid wastes from sustainable biomass resources to produce a clean, high octane gaseous fuel that can be safely used in a variety of applications. The Powerhearth does not utilize fossil fuels.

"True" biomass gasification has a long history of clean, environmentally friendly, operation and is currently the application of choice for converting municipal solid waste, in landfills, worldwide, into electricity and heat: waste wood, from sawmills, into electricity and heat for drying kilns and wood chips providing 100% of the electrical and heating needs for schools, factories and industry, worldwide!

The Powerhearth is designed, engineered and built for continuous, 24 hour, operation. Whether rain or shine, windy or still, the Powerhearth continues to operate cleanly and efficiently, but can easily be utilized in an “on demand” or peaking application as a result of the unique Powerhearth Automation and Management System!

Efficient

The innovation of the design of your Powerhearth is the result of over thirty five years of commercial gasifier design and engineering experience, study and research, combined with power system operational work, by a renowned authority in gasification: Jack Humphries P.E., our Vice President for Design, Manufacturing and Operations.

Jack built the prototype Powerhearth in 1991, in Maine, in order to study various means by which the overall efficiency, of an already efficient method of utilizing various biomass, including waste wood products to produce heat and electricity, could be improved upon. The result? Powerhearth!

The unique design and numerous technological advances and improvements, found in the Powerhearth, easily demonstrate the overall efficiency of operation and trouble free ownership. We guarantee it! In writing!

An example of the innovations that have contributed to the high level of efficiency of Powerhearth can be demonstrated in our, patented, torrification chamber.

Most gasifiers' efficiency rating is based upon a 15% to20% moisture content of the wood waste feedstock to be gasified. The feedstock consumed by Powerhearth is delivered from the torrification chamber with a uniform moisture content of 3% to 5%! As a result of feedstock moisture content, the Powerhearth is able to produce a high octane, clean gas, in as little as six minutes from startup! This means your engine, turbine, boiler or furnace is ready and running in as little as six minutes from a cold startup.

Another great measure of the high level of the efficiency of the Powerhearth can be found in the ash. Most gasifiers do well to have about 2%, by volume of fuel, ash content. The ash content of Powerhearth has been independently measured at one quarter to one half of ONE percent, consistently!

Versatile

The Powerhearth power plant is a "true" biomass gasification system. The entire system, from the fuel storage and handling to the producer gas outlet, is custom designed, fabricated and tested to meet your exact fuel and energy specifications, engineered to fit into your mechanical room.

An important feature of the Powerhearth is the fact that it is specifically designed to operate in boiler rooms, cogeneration spaces and machine rooms. It is safe and complies with all local, state and federal regulations, utilizing only UL certified components.

Because of its unique rectolinear footprint, you will always be able to find room for a Powerhearth in your boiler room or machine room. The Powerhearth's space saving footprint even lets you put it in a corner!

From the very beginning, through design and engineering, nothing is taken for granted. You are part of the system design team and your approval is integral before fabrication is commenced.

After fabrication, the entire system is independently tested and a copy of the tests and test results are delivered to you before the system is allowed to leave the factory. If any modifications are required, in order to meet your exacting specifications, they can easily be performed before your system leaves the facility.

The most notable aspect of the versatility of the Powerhearth is found in its fuel feedstock capabilities. Wood chips of any size, pellets, small chunks, large chunks, briquettes, cubes and many other types of biomass. The options are almost limitless!

Versitility of Feedstock!
Regardless of your proposed feedstock, the design team will work closely with you to determine the system that will best meet your fuel handling and energy requirements.

A significant point to consider, while discussing the versatility of your Powerhearth is the product of your system. Your Powerhearth converts your specified feedstock into a clean, high octane gas. The gas may be utilized to fuel engines, furnaces, boilers, turbines or a combination of any of these and other applications. Again, our design team will work closely with you and your staff to determine the most efficient system components and their configuration.

The applications for producer gas are numerous. In the past thirty odd years of commercial fabrication, we have seen some of our systems employed to provide the fuel for glass blowers, kilns, lumber drying, automotive and tractor fueling and electricity for sawmill operation and villages.

More conventionally, the "producer gas" from the Powerhearth will, dependably, efficiently and inexpensively, fuel an engine alternator for electricity, a boiler, turbine, furnace or any combination of applications. Versatility? Almost limitless!

Cleanly! Safely! Economically!

An important note about the versatility of Powerhearth:

Powerhearth is a linear hearth gasification system. It can occupy a square, rectangular or "L' shaped footprint. Because it can be built in modules, its size or output is only limited by your requirements.

Fully Automatic

Your Powerhearth couldn't be easier to operate! From the comfort of the "state of the art" control booth, just push a button! From your mobile phone: just enter your code! From the internet: enter your password and, not only control your system, but watch it in full operation! Now, that's the power of energy independence!

Though fully automatic, each designated operator is thoroughly trained in every phase of the Powerhearth power plant, its constituent components and the plant operation and preventive maintenance by our expert staff. This is necessary. Though the Powerhearth can, easily, be considered the most technologically advanced biomass gasification system in the world. Each phase can be manually operated and can be observed at various locations from the on board array of gauges, from a cellular phone or internet connection.

A few of the automatic features that you will enjoy in the Powerhearth:

• The moisture content of the waste wood fuel is monitored and controlled by the Powerhearth Automation and Management System
• The rate of fuel feed is controlled by the Powerhearth Automation and Management System
• The gasification process temperatures are monitored and controlled by the Powerhearth Automation and Management System
• Gas flow and temperature is monitored and controlled by the Powerhearth Automation and Management System.
• Valve positions are monitored by the Powerhearth Automation and Management System.
• Chamber temperatures are monitored by the Powerhearth Automation and Management System.
• Engine RPM, temperatures and oil pressures are monitored by the Powerhearth Automation and Management System.
• Electrical output is monitored by the Powerhearth Automation and Management System.
• Each phase of operation and the outputs of the system are monitored and displayed in the control booth and can be monitored, remotely, from anywhere in the world. All data is stored and can be easily accessed for diagnostics or troubleshooting.
• Each component of the Powerhearth power plant is controlled by the Powerhearth Automation and Management System. Additionally, as a backup, each system is remotely monitored and connected to the operator by a multi level alarm, dial out, system and, at any stage of operation, can bAmong the reasons fore easily switched to manual operation and back into automatic.
• Your specific energy requirements and power plant needs will be the determining factor in the overall configuration of automation and, when necessary, the Powerhearth Automation and Management System will be adapted to be fully communicative and complimentary to your existing management system.

Technologically Advanced

Staying ahead of the technological curve is the difference between Powerhearth and the rest of the gasification industry, worldwide!

Your Powerhearth is the product of many years of gasification experience, innovation, research and extensive testing. As a result, your Powerhearth is equipped with our own patented features that have made Powerhearth the most technologically advanced biomass gasification system available.

For example:

• The feedstock is automatically dried to an exact moisture content, optimizing the gasification process while minimizing waste.
• Unlike most gasification systems, it is not necessary to shut down the system while removing ashes, thus ensuring continuous, round the clock, operation.
• Ash removal is automatic!
• Improved feature that prevents "bridging", allowing continuous fuel flow into the hearth, resulting in a much greater efficiency.
• Controlled, managed, air flow that guarantees pyrolisis, thereby eliminating tar in the producer gas.
• Simple, trouble free, multi cyclonic gas cleaning system that removes all particulate from the producer gas.
• Special, custom designed burners and valves to ensure proper air to gas ratios while eliminating stratification of the final gas/air mixture.

The features, outlined above, are but a sampling of the many technological improvements that may be found in the Powerhearth. They are most notable because they provide solutions to problems that commonly plague other biomass gasification systems.

If you would like specific information about Powerhearth or our technological breakthroughs, please feel free to contact us.

Economical

The economics of the Powerhearth are simple. The Powerhearth is a complete power plant, ready and capable of providing all of your energy requirements for a small fraction of that which you are presently paying.

The Powerhearth is a capital expense that can easily show a positive cash flow almost immediately. Consider a few facts:

The high cost of fossil fuels will continue to drive the cost of electricity to new, higher levels. Your Powerhearth will give you clean, environmentally friendly, electricity for a few pennies per kilowatt hour, without a "demand" charge. The Powerhearth can easily replace your present fuel for the boilers and furnaces, kilns and driers with a clean, high octane gaseous fuel; twenty four hours a day, every day of the year! Rain or shine and whether the wind is blowing or not...The power of energy independence is always your choice and with Powerhearth, you can take charge of your operating costs while capitalizing on carbon credits and tax advantages.

When the economics of Powerhearth power plant operation are considered, plan to spend less than a half an hour, during each ten hours of operation, for a system walk around inspection.

Unlike every other gasifier in the world, it is not necessary to shut down your Powerhearth during ash removal. The Powerhearth Automation and Management System is on the job! Ash removal is automatic and continuous!

Of all the reasons for owning a Powerhearth, the economics are, by far, the most rewarding. From the very beginning, members of our team will work with you and your staff, determining your energy requirements, present and future. Upon completion of the assessment of your requirements, it will be easy for you to determine that, by employing Powerhearth, you will realize a rapid positive cash flow while enjoying the luxury of energy independence.

The economics found in Powerhearth are realistic and time proven. Our expert energy assessment can show you where dramatic savings can be realized with a Powerhearth power plant doing the heavy lifting!

Fully Supported Lifetime Warranty

Your Powerhearth will arrive at your site thoroughly tested and fully certified to meet your specifications and all environmental regulations. We guarantee it! For example:

Prior to shipment, your complete system has already been in operation between 150 and 200 hours. This includes a 100 hour non stop, full performance test, conducted by an independent testing facility. All tests and their results are recorded and you are provided a copy of the tests, test results and certification, for approval before shipment to your project site.

As added protection:

Your first year of ownership is absolutely RISK FREE! Our "No Risk" Performance Guarantee tells it all, in plain language.

If the Powerhearth doesn't live up to your specifications, it doesn't cost you! You risk nothing.

To underscore the quality of your Powerhearth and our confidence:

Your Powerhearth is also covered by a Fully Supported Lifetime Warranty with an outstanding feature as a backup for your system and your operator. We call it the "Powerhearth Automation and Management System". The system, designed specifically for your power plant, ensures continuous, trouble free operation and monitoring capabilities – 24 hours a day!

Upon completion of the commissioning, your Powerhearth is monitored twenty four hours a day, every day. The Powerhearth Automation and Management System is equipped with multi level alarms and an automatic dial out system that contacts our monitoring center as well as your operations supervisory staff, should the need arise. We are glad to support your operator in this fashion! It's just another of the many Powerhearth services you may expect.

Award Winning Tradition

A biomass gasification system isn't something that one would normally associate with an award of any type, much less international awards and world wide recognition of the designer of the gasification system. After all, there aren't any moving parts in our gasifiers and, certainly nothing flashy. They just sit there, quietly making gas.

Yet gasification systems, designed and built by Jack Humphries P.E., the "Father of the Powerhearth" have, repeatedly, received recognition and numerous awards from around the world.

Most significantly from British Petroleum (BP) for the design and fabrication of a gasification system that provides a viable alternative to petroleum products and as a conservation alternative to fossil fuels.

Jack was, also, a winner of the Industrial and Overall Award for another one of his gasification system, in the prestigious New Zealand Steel Award competition, in 1984.

Additionally, an acknowledged authority in the design and engineering of gasification systems and the science of the gasification process, he has presented papers and given lectures at universities and professional symposia around the world.

Would you like to learn more about the actual process of gasification? Feel free to contact us.

Powerhearth In Action!

The process of gasification for the purpose of generating electricity requires the reliability of a dependable engine to drive the alternator.

After more than thirty five years of commercial gasification design and fabrication experience, we have learned that a reliable engine makes our Powerhearth just that much better and an engine that has been manufactured, specifically, for the producer gas made by Powerhearth is as close to perfection as one can get!

The engines we use are approved by the most stringent environmental regulations in the world, have a factory warranty when fueled by gas from your Powerhearth and have proven themselves reliable and easily able to provide the performance you require during peaking periods or twenty four hours a day - every day of the year!

It doesn't matter the size. We match your project requirements to the engine!