"What is TCG technology?"

"TCG (Thermochemical Closed-loop Gasification) is a proprietary waste-to-energy technology that converts carbonaceous materials including MSW, biomass, tyres, plastics, agricultural residues, and fossil energy carriers into clean synthesis gas through a closed-system thermochemical process. The technology was declared \"Best Available Technology\" by the US Department of Energy.\n"

"What is the energetic efficiency of TCG gasification?"

"The energetic efficiency of the gasification unit is above 80%, as verified by tests conducted at the Colorado School of Mines and reports issued to the US Department of Energy.\n"

"What is the carbon conversion ratio?"

"The Carbon Conversion Ratio is 99.96%, as verified by the US Department of Energy. This means nearly all carbon in the feed material is converted into usable synthesis gas rather than waste.\n"

"Does the system produce emissions?"

"The TCG gasification unit has no chimney or other exit to the environment — it is a completely closed system. The total emission of the entire plant is between 5% and 40% of the emission of a traditional power plant, depending upon the feed material and the end product. The gaseous emission reduction is between 5%-40% depending upon the end product.\n"

"What is the classification of the ash residue?"

"The ash residue produced by the TCG gasification process is classified as environmentally neutral, as verified by tests conducted by the Colorado Environment Agency and Ohio Environment Agency.\n"

"What materials can be processed by TCG technology?"

"The TCG gasification system can process any carbonaceous materials including: Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), biomass (sawdust, rice hulls, energy grass, algae), agricultural and forestry residues, used tyres, plastics, coal (lignite, brown coal, black coal), oil refinery residues, petroleum coke, slaughter house waste, dead animals, invasive plants (water lily, seaweed), and other organic waste materials.\n"

"What end products can be generated?"

"The TCG technology can produce multiple end products depending on configuration: electricity via gas turbine generator sets (G2E/GenSet), liquid hydrocarbons including green/blue fuels via Fischer-Tropsch liquefaction (G2L), hydrogen via the Pure Hydrogen Generator Unit (PHU/W2H), and thermal energy via heat exchangers (HEEX).\n"

"What certifications and evaluations support TCG technology?"

"The technology was evaluated by TSS Consultants across five categories (economic viability, energy efficiency, environmental compatibility, RDD\u0026D evaluation stages, and socio-political effectiveness) and ranked first place as \"Best Available Technology\" by the US Department of Energy in a confidential report to the Senate. The technology was also declared \"Strategic Technology\" by the US Government.\n"

"How does TCG technology compare to traditional incineration?"

"Unlike traditional incineration, TCG is a closed system with no chimney. It does not burn waste but thermally degrades it in an oxygen-deficient environment. The emission reduction is 5%-40% compared to traditional power plants, and the process can be adjusted to produce different qualities of syngas depending on the desired end product.\n"

"What is the difference between TCG and conventional pyrolysis?"

"Unlike conventional pyrolysis where the process simply happens and operators cannot control the quality of the output syngas, the TCG gasification unit can be precisely adjusted by changing pressure, temperature, and humidity to produce the optimal gas composition for the desired end product. The entire process control system is managed by an industrial computer with over 100 sensors monitoring temperature, pressure, and moisture content.\n"

Utilization of 18 MWth Waste Heat from Gas Engine Cooling Systems for Greenhouse Agriculture in Central Europe

Executive Summary

A Waste-to-Energy (W2E) power plant equipped with gas engine generator sets (GenSets) produces not only renewable electricity but also a substantial amount of recoverable thermal energy. In this project, approximately 18 MW of continuous thermal power is available as 90–100°C hot water from the engine cooling circuits.

Instead of dissipating this heat through cooling towers, it can be utilized to support modern greenhouse agriculture, creating an integrated Combined Heat and Food Production (CHFP) system. This approach significantly improves the overall energy efficiency of the W2E plant while generating an additional and sustainable source of revenue.

#Benefits of Using Waste Heat for Greenhouse Farming

The available hot water is ideally suited for heating:

Vegetable greenhouses
Flower production facilities
Herb and spice cultivation
Seedling nurseries
Hydroponic farms
Aquaponic systems
Mushroom production
Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA)

Since greenhouse heating systems typically operate with secondary water temperatures between 35°C and 70°C, the 90–100°C cooling water from the GenSets can efficiently supply the required heat through standard heat exchangers.

Suitable Crops for Year-Round Production

Vegetables

Tomatoes
Cucumbers
Bell peppers
Lettuce
Spinach
Eggplants
Zucchini

Herbs and Spices

Basil
Parsley
Dill
Coriander
Mint
Oregano
Rosemary
Thyme
Chives

Flowers

Roses
Tulips
Orchids
Gerbera
Chrysanthemums
Carnations
Lilies

Greenhouse Heating Requirements in Central Europe

For engineering calculations, a conservative design value of 200 W/m² is generally adopted.

Available Thermal Energy

Continuous thermal output:
18 MW = 18,000 kW
Daily thermal energy:
18,000 × 24 = 432 MWh/day
Annual thermal energy production:
18 MW × 8,760 hours/year =
157,680 MWh/year

Greenhouse Capacity Calculation

Using the design heating load of 200 W/m²:
18,000 kW ÷ 0.20 kW/m²
= 90,000 m²
= 9 hectares
Therefore, the available waste heat can fully supply approximately:
9 hectares of modern glass greenhouses
under peak winter operating conditions in Central Europe.

Annual Energy Verification

Average annual heating demand:
150 kWh/m²/year
For 90,000 m²:
90,000 × 150
= 13,500 MWh/year
Available annual thermal energy:
157,680 MWh/year

Consequently, the W2E plant generates substantially more thermal energy than required for a 9-hectare greenhouse complex. During spring, summer, and autumn, the surplus heat can be directed to other productive applications.

Additional Uses for Surplus Heat

Outside the heating season, excess thermal energy can be utilized for:

Expansion of seasonal greenhouse production
Biomass and agricultural product drying
Aquaculture and fish farming
Algae cultivation
Food processing
District heating networks
Industrial process heating This maximizes the overall utilization of the recovered thermal energy throughout the year.

Economic and Environmental Benefits

Integrating greenhouse agriculture with the W2E facility offers several strategic advantages:

Near-zero-cost renewable heating for greenhouse operations.
Significant reduction in greenhouse operating expenses.
Stable year-round agricultural production independent of weather conditions.
Higher crop yields through precise climate control.
Reduced dependence on fossil fuels.
Lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Overall plant energy efficiency exceeding 80–90% through combined electricity and heat utilization.
Diversified revenue streams from electricity generation, heat recovery, and agricultural production.

Estimated Annual Production from a 9-Hectare Greenhouse Complex

Conclusion

The continuous 18 MWth of recoverable heat from the GenSet cooling water represents a valuable renewable energy resource capable of heating approximately 9 hectares of modern glass greenhouses under Central European winter conditions.

By integrating greenhouse agriculture with the Waste-to-Energy plant, the project establishes a highly efficient Combined Heat and Food Production (CHFP) model that transforms waste heat into a productive asset. This circular economy approach simultaneously enhances plant efficiency, supports year-round production of high-value vegetables, flowers, herbs, and spices, creates additional revenue streams, and significantly reduces the carbon footprint of both energy generation and agricultural production.

Such an integrated energy-agriculture concept provides a sustainable and commercially attractive solution for maximizing the overall value and efficiency of the Waste-to-Energy facility while contributing to regional food security and environmental protection.

HEEX Heat Exchanger