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The Future of Biomass Energy

Gasification is a thermal process that converts biomass into an energy rich gas by heating the solid fuel under controlled conditions. Unlike combustion, which fully converts a feedstock into heat and ash, gasification processes control the conversion so that most of the combustion does not take place directly. Instead, the material is converted into a readily used gas fuel called producer gas, that can be used to run a reciprocating engine, boiler or even gas turbine.

The technology itself is not new. It was being used to produce “town gas” from coal in many cities in the 19th century and became widely used as a result of fuel shortages during the Second World War where gasifiers were often fitted to vehicles running on charcoal, providing the fuel for over a million vehicles.

Powerhearth: Ahead of the Technological Curve!

Powerhearth is a modern and mature gasifier made from superior materials for reliability and consistency in clean gas quality and output. When coupled to ancillary systems it is optimized for the operation of modern industrial engines and associated power plants.

Before a Powerhearth is considered for sale to a customer a careful analysis of fuel feedstock, operating requirements and owners' specifications is conducted. If it is determined that Powerhearth is the correct solution, a Powerhearth designated for that project goes into fabrication. Upon completion and satisfactory testing, the system is shipped to its designated project for assembly, integration and final testing prior to the completion of commissioning.

During this entire evolution, designated operators are fully trained and made familiar with every facet of the power plant, its operation and preventive maintenance protocol.

When the commissioning team is satisfied that all is in order the Powerhearth is turned over to the new owner. Each Powerhearth is accompanied by a "No Risk" Performance Guarantee offering its unconditional coverage for the first year and a Fully Supported Lifetime Warranty. Every Powerhearth owner can rest assured that their system is:

• Carefully designed and engineered
• Constructed of the highest quality materials available in the world
• Fabricated by skilled craftsman using state of the art equipment and techniques
• Will always be far ahead of the technological curve

That's just the way of Powerhearth!

Powerhearth: Innovative Versatility!

Powerhearth employs an in line torrification chamber, reducing moisture content of the feedstock to between three and five percent. This enables Powerhearth to make more gas per kilogram of feedstock more efficiently while ensuring feedstock moisture content uniformity.

3i designs and fabricates all valves and burners that are to be used with Powerhearth. Each Powerhearth is an analogue of its sibling and is factory built, ensuring precision and continuity from model to model regardless the size!

The moving force behind the innovation and deveopment of Powerhearth is found in the genius of Jack Humphries. A student of gasification since 1939, Jack has been designing and fabricating systems for over thirty five years. His systems have long since been approved and accepted by the United Nations A.I.D., British A.I.D. and other similar international organizations. His gasifiers have received international recognition and prestigious awards for their quality and efficiency.

The PowerHearth is a stand alone power plant. Standard models are available and, because of the simplicity and modularity of Powerhearth, there are no size limitations to the power plant.

A “Mini” Powerhearth for domestic applications is also planned for production. This unit can produce all the heating, cooling and power requirements for an average home using wood chips or chunks as a feedstock.



Our advanced densification technology allows diffuse and diverse biomass sources to be homogenized into a uniform low moisture content and a high energy density feedstock.

Gasification of these briquettes ensures uniform gas production in fully automated systems providing fast and convenient start-up and control of power generation while utilising a range of biomass feedstocks in one system.

Feedstock densification provides unprecedented fuel flexibility and operating capacity when combined or integrated with existing sawdust. When used to fuel boilers, briquettes smooth out operating issues and provide increased capacity using wet wastes.

Powerhearth technology and its extreme versatility will allow you to retrofit your existing boiler plant for higher reliability and greater flexibility.

• Streamline residue handling, improving site function and amenity while reducing management costs
• Provide a stand alone biomass power plant using uncommitted and problematic woody residues, reducing reliance on grid connection and solving residue disposal issues
• Provide the basis for future expansion including practical partnerships with other organizations
• Increase future options for development of alternate carbon products from cellulose materials
• Gas only applications such as co-firing with an existing, or proposed, conventional boiler and, using woodchips as a feedstock, can be achieved for around $150/KWth, installed on larger systems.
• A fully automatic, turn key stand alone system, using woodchips as a feestock, incorporating an engine alternator to prodice electricity can be achieved for around $1,000/KWe.
• Fully integrated “all-in-one” systems incorporating a densification, gasification and engine alternator plant to optimize collection and utilization of diverse or problem fuels from the surrounding biomass catchments can be achieved for less than $1500/kWe.

Note! The densification plant does not necessarily need to be located at the main generation point. Maintenance costs for the gasifier itself are negligible. The Powerhearth has no moving parts! Operating costs will vary depending upon the generation technology chosen and feedstock costs.

Costs shown are indicative only, actual costs will depend on final system size, specific application and configuration selected. The noted costs are not linear and decrease with scale.

Perhaps one of the most exciting opportunities Powerhearth presents is the ability to tailor this technology for special applications and sunrise industries. Contact us! Our versatility is almost limitless!