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24 terms

Ash fusion temperature (AFT)Fuel analysis

The temperature range over which fuel ash softens and melts — reported as initial deformation, softening, hemisphere and flow points. Low AFT predicts slagging and bed agglomeration risk.

Autothermal operationGasification

A gasification regime in which the process heat is supplied entirely by partial oxidation of the feedstock itself, without external fuel. Achievable only within a moisture and ash window defined by laboratory analysis.

Bio-methanolEnergy markets

Methanol synthesized from biomass-derived syngas (CO + H₂) rather than natural gas. A platform molecule for fuels and chemicals; demands the highest syngas purity of the common synthesis routes.

Bomb calorimetryFuel analysis

Laboratory method for measuring gross calorific value: a weighed fuel sample is combusted in a sealed, pressurized oxygen vessel and the heat release measured precisely (ISO 18125 basis).

Carbon conversionGasification

The fraction of feedstock carbon converted into product gas rather than remaining in char or ash. A core efficiency metric for gasifiers — 78% was achieved at the Puertollano facility reference.

CFD modellingEngineering

Computational fluid dynamics — numerical simulation of gas flow, heat transfer and reactions inside reactors and ducts. Used to verify temperature profiles, mixing and residence time before steel is cut.

Circular economyEnergy markets

An economic model that keeps materials in productive use — including recovering energy from residual streams that cannot be reused or recycled materially. TOKEF's founding rationale since 2017.

Equivalence ratio (ER)Gasification

The actual air-to-fuel ratio divided by the stoichiometric ratio. Gasification typically operates at ER 0.2–0.4: enough oxygen for partial oxidation, not enough for full combustion.

FEED studyEngineering

Front-End Engineering Design — the engineering definition package (process configuration, heat and mass balance, P&IDs, specifications) prepared before major capital commitments. The cheapest insurance available in thermal projects.

Fixed carbonFuel analysis

The solid combustible residue remaining after moisture, volatiles and ash are accounted for — determined by difference in proximate analysis. Indicates the char-forming behaviour of a fuel.

Fixed-bed gasifierGasification

A gasifier class where the fuel bed moves slowly downward (updraft or downdraft configurations) on a grate. Simple and robust at modest scale; sensitive to fuel size and moisture consistency.

Fluidized bedGasification

Reactor concept in which fuel particles are suspended in a rising stream of bed material (usually sand or olivine), giving excellent mixing and temperature uniformity. Tolerant of heterogeneous fuels; requires attention to bed agglomeration from ash chemistry.

Fouling indexFuel analysis

A calculated indicator of the tendency of ash deposits to build up on convective heat-transfer surfaces, derived from ash composition. One of the two ash-behaviour indices reported in our laboratory packages.

Gas cleaning trainGasification

The sequence of cyclones, filters, scrubbers and catalytic or thermal stages that reduce particulates, tars, sulfur and chlorine in raw syngas to levels the downstream application tolerates. Usually where availability is won or lost.

Gross calorific value (GCV)Fuel analysis

The total heat released by complete combustion of a fuel including the latent heat recovered from water vapour condensation. The upper bound of energy content, measured by bomb calorimetry.

Heat and mass balanceEngineering

The accounting framework that tracks every energy and material flow through a process — the backbone of feasibility studies, FEED packages and performance guarantees.

Net calorific value (NCV)Fuel analysis

The heat released on complete combustion with water remaining as vapour — the realistic usable energy figure for most energy systems. Calculated from GCV and hydrogen/moisture content per ISO 18125.

Owner's engineerEngineering

An engineering role that represents the project owner's technical interests through development, procurement and construction — independent from equipment vendors. The core of TOKEF's vendor-neutral mandate.

Plasma gasificationGasification

Gasification using a plasma torch to reach very high temperatures (typically >2,000 °C in the hot zone), capable of processing difficult wastes with extreme stability of the synthesis gas. Capital-intensive; selected for specific waste classes.

Producer gasGasification

The raw fuel gas leaving an air-blown gasifier: H₂, CO, CO₂, CH₄ and nitrogen, plus tars and particulates. Requires cleaning before use in engines, turbines or synthesis.

Proximate analysisFuel analysis

The four-value fuel fingerprint — moisture, ash, volatile matter and fixed carbon — that determines handling behaviour and first-pass conversion performance. The first laboratory gate for any thermal project.

Slagging indexFuel analysis

A calculated indicator of the tendency of ash to form molten deposits on primary heat surfaces, derived from fusion temperatures and oxide composition. Feeds directly into reactor temperature selection.

SyngasGasification

Synthesis gas — cleaned and conditioned product gas dominated by H₂ and CO. A platform: burnable for heat and power, shiftable to hydrogen, or synthesizable into methanol, ammonia and synthetic fuels.

Water-gas shift (WGS)Gasification

The catalytic reaction CO + H₂O → CO₂ + H₂ used to convert syngas into a hydrogen-rich stream — the key step on the route from waste-derived gas to industrial hydrogen.