NRG Focus by Alter NRG Corp.

►►Destroying►Hazardous►Waste►►►Alter►NRG►and►Technip►Alliance►►A►Look►at►Biomass►Conversion►►Representative►Meeting►Highlights

In this Issue:►►Regulatory►Approval►and►a►Big►Project:►St.►Lucie►►Plasma►Torches►Applications►and►Technology►Developments►►Touring►the►Eco-Valley►Facility

DECEMBER 2010 | INAUGURAL ED I T ION

A GLOBAL OUTLOOK

™

TECHNOLOGY | REVIEW | UPDATE

In an effort to keep our customers current on

Alter NRG and partner activities, we are happy

to launch a quarterly bulletin highlighting

the most up-to-date information on

projects, regulations affecting development

of plasma gasification projects, technology

and corporate initiatives.

Wishing you and your family warm greetings this holiday season. From the team at Alter NRG

Richard Fish President

ContentsTechnip _______________3Technip: What Does Our Alliance Mean?

Plasma Gasification _______4Not Just a Waste Solution; A Look at Biomass Conversion

Highlights _____________ 7Representative Meeting

Spotlight On ____________82 Guys, Regulatory Approval and a Big Project. St. Lucie: How Did They Pull it Together?

Tech Talk _____________ 10►● Plasma Torches Applications►● Generation 4 of Plasma Gasification Technology Developments

India ________________ 17Destroying Hazardous Waste

Close up: _____________ 18A Plasma Gasification Close Up. Touring Eco-Valley, Utashinai

Cover Photo:►Plasma►Gasification►in►actionContent & Design:►Alter►NRG►Corp.►-►Corp.►Development►Team

Alter►NRG►Corp.►is►a►registered►trademarks.►All►other►company►and►product►names►may►be►trademarks►of►their►respective►owners.►The►information►contained►herein►cannot►be►re-producted►in►any►format►without►legal►permision►from►Alter►NRG►Corp.,►and►is►subject►to►change►without►notice.►►Copyright►©►2010.►All►rights►reserved.

2 ISSUE►|►DECEMBER►2010

Technip USA is Alter NRG’s preferred EPCM for complete balance of plant

After►working►with►the►technical► team►at►Alter►NRG►and►gaining► in-depth►knowledge►of► the►Westinghouse►Plasma►Gasification►technology,►Technip►USA►felt►that►Alter►NRG►is►leading►the►energy►from►waste►technology►industry.►Technip►USA►will►provide►balance►of►plant►integration►engineering►as►well► as► overall► performance►guarantees,► in► conjunction►with►Alter►NRG,► to►support►project►financing►for►plasma►facilities.►Having►Technip►on►board►as►a►strategic►partner►further►validates►the►Westinghouse►Plasma►Gasification►technology►and►brings►significant►gas►clean-up►experience►into►our►projects.

From► conventional► and► alternate► technologies;► production► of► steam► and► power;► syngas►conditioning►and►clean-up;►and►emission►abatement►technologies,►Technip►USA►has►extensive►experience►in►the►field►of►syngas►production

Alter►NRG’s►strategic►partners►can►benefit►from►Technip►USA’s►gas►processing►expertise►for►the►design►and►operation►of► their►syngas►generating►plasma►gasification►facilities.►Technip►USA’s►performance►guarantees►means►that►they►ensure►the►facility►will►operate►at►the►stated►levels,► which► helps► mitigate► the► project► developers► risk► while► also► indicating► to► financial►institutions►that►it►is►a►suitable►project►for►debt►financing.►

About TechnipTechnip► USA,► a► subsidiary► of► Technip► S.A.►(“Technip”),►is►a►recognized►leader►in►the►energy►sector► with► 23,000► people► working► in► 48►countries►globally,► and►over►6.5►billion►Euros►of►annual► revenues.►Technip►provides►engineering,►procurement► and► construction► services► to► the►energy,►refining►and►process►chemical►industries,►with► project► management► expertise► including►complex► project► integration,► risk► assessment,►conceptual► design,► preliminary► and► detailed►engineering,► global► procurement► and►construction►management.

“Technip is excited about partnering with Alter NRG and the Westinghouse Plasma Technology that we feel is the industry leading technology in the field of Waste-to-Energy. During our due diligence period we have become comfortable that this technology can be broadly applied and can make a significant difference in creating sustainable energy for the future. We believe Technip can add technical and commercial value to plasma gasification facilities through efficient execution of these projects.”

- Jeroen Snijder, General Manager of Claremont office of Technip USA, Inc.

Alter NRG & Technip USA Sign Alliance

Highlights:

• Technip will provide balance of plant and integration engineering for facilities using the Alter NRG plasma gasification technology

• Technip will offer performance guarantees on entire facilities

• Facilitates project finance

ImageSource:www.Technip.com 3 NRG►FOCUS►|►BY►►ALTER NRG

Biomass►represents►a►large►market► opportunity► that► is►growing► year► over► year.►Around► the►world,► all► types►of► biomass► are► currently►being►used►to►generate►heat►and► electricity.► In► some►cases,► coal► and► biomass►are►blended►together.►In►the►U.S.► alone,► the► estimated►total► biomass► resource► is►over► 590► million► wet► tons,►however,► access► is► limited►to►only►20►million►wet►tons1.►Due►to►its►varied►quality►(e.g.►dirt► and►moisture► content),►many► technologies► and►processes►are►ineffective►in►the►conversion►of►biomass.►

According to PowerGen World Wide, “Biomass has the potential to be a leader in renewable energy growth for two main reasons. The first reason is the location factor. Biomass generation can be developed almost anywhere. Other renewables such as wind, hydro and solar can be much more location-specific. Second, biomass power can be produced on demand. Most other renewables are susceptible to the weather or seasonal changes. Biomass—like coal, natural gas and nuclear power generation—can be run around the clock throughout the year.”2

1 U.S. EIA http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/analysispaper/biomass/

2 http://www.powergenworldwide.com/index/display/articledisplay.articles.power-engineering.volume-113.issue-11.features.biomass-an-emerging-fuel-for-power-generation.html

Plasma Gasification: Not Just a Waste SolutionThe Westinghouse Plasma Gasification technology is best known for marketing its use in energy from waste applications; however, the technology also has distinct advantages in the biomass market.

Highlights:

• The Westinghouse Plasma gasification technology for biomass conversion offers:

• Feedstock flexibility: blend or change feed types

• End product versatility: syngas, electricity, ethanol, steam

• High availability and reliability


3 Juniper Commercial Assessment – Advanced Commercial Technology (Gasification) for Biomass Projects, June 2007 for Renewables East.

Plasma Gasification Fluidized Bed Combustion (Circulating and Bubbling)

Gasification

End►product Syngas►and►vitrified,►inert►slag Heat►and►ash Syngas►and►slag►or►ash

Reliability►&►Availability► The►torch►systems►can►be►used►to►process►inconsistent►or►dirty►batches►of►feedstock►without►any►down►time►and►consistently►produce►a►quality►syngas

Downtime►is►necessary►to►clean►out►the►bottom►ash,►otherwise►high►availability►

Reliable►as►long►as►feed►size►is►consistent►for►gasification►process3

Feedstock►Flexibility► A►plasma►gasifier►at►a►biomass►facility►will►provide►a►customer►with►insurance►against►market►fluctuations►and►even►shortages►of►feedstock►with►the►ability►to►process►blended►feedstocks.►►

A►Bubbling►Fluidized►Bed►can►process►wood/woodwaste►or►wood/woodwaste,►sludge►and►tires►as►fuel

A►Circulating►Fludizied►Bed►can►process►Coal►or►Coal►and►wood/wood►waste,►petroleum►coke►and►tires

Can►blend►similar►consistency►feed

Biomass is a renewable energy source consisting of plant waste material, vegetation and agricultural waste. Plasma gasification can convert biomass into a carbon neutral base load power source or other valuable products such as ethanol and steam.

The energy harnessed from biomass comes from the process of photosynthesis. As plants grow, they capture an amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) equal to that released during plasma gasification. This process creates an energy rich and carbon neutral balance.

Biomass Conversion TechnologiesBiomass►energy►systems►can►be►based►on►a►wide►range►of►feedstocks►and►use►many►different►conversion►technologies►to►produce►solid,►liquid►and►gaseous►fuels.►Commonly►used► technologies► for► processing►biomass► include► fluidized►bed► combustion► (bubbling►and► circulating)► and►gasification.► In► comparison► to►plasma►gasification,►the►main►differences►between►the►technologies►include:

Not► typically►known► for►processing►biomass,► the►Westinghouse►Plasma►gasification► technology►has►emerged► in► the►biomass►market►as►a► reliable►and► rugged►alternative.►Plasma►gasification►is►able►to►reliably►process►various►types►of►biomass►while►also►providing►the►flexibility►to►incorporate►new►sources►of►feedstocks.►Processing►biomass►with►plasma►gasification►generates►syngas►which►can►be►used►for►power,►steam►or►ethanol.►With►the►Alter►NRG►gasification►system,►facilities►can►choose►to►process►different►feedstocks►over►time.►Specifically,►lower►value►feedstocks,►or►even►negative►value►(with►tipping►fees)►could►be►processed►at►a►facility.►Alter►NRG►has►proven►biomass►processing►experience►as►seen►at►the►Westinghouse►Plasma►pilot►plant►in►Madison,►Pennsylvania►where►biomass►is►being►converted►into►clean►syngas►for►use►in►Coskata’s►cellulosic►ethanol►process.►Also,►Wuhan►Kaidi►is►currently►building►a►biomass-to-energy►demonstration►facility►in►China►using►the►Westinghouse►Plasma►technology.►Construction►will►likely►be►complete►in►the►first►quarter►of►2011.►

Why Plasma Gasification for Biomass Conversion?

The Process of PhotosynthesisPHOTOSYNTHESIS

BIO

MA

SS

CA

RB

ON

DIO

XID

E

RESIDUES & BY-PRODUCTS

5 NRG►FOCUS►|►BY►►ALTER NRG

At► the► Westinghouse► Plasma► Pilot► Centre,► Coskata► is►operating►their►first►commercial►demonstration►cellulosic►ethanol► facility► called► Project► Lighthouse.► Coskata► is►using► clean► syngas► generated► from► the► processing► of►biomass►in►the►Westinghouse►Plasma►gasification►process►to► feed► microscopic► bugs► in► the► creation► of► cellulosic►ethanol.

Providing Clean Syngas for Coskata’s Cellulosic Ethanol Facility

The Westinghouse Plasma Gasification technology is best known for marketing its use in energy from waste applications; however, the technology is also very competitive for use in biomass applications.

Dispelling Concerns About Processing Biomass with Plasma

Most►concerns►regarding►the►processing►of►biomass►with►plasma►gasification►were►with►respect►to►operating►costs,►specifically:►►

1. Cost of Bed Material: The cost of the met coke needed to form the bed in the gasifier

2. Internal Power Consumption: The cost of plasma torch power

Through►simulations►and► testing►Alter►NRG►has►eliminated► the►bed►material,► torch►power►and► the►steam► injection► into► the►gasifier► in►order► to►prove► that► the►Westinghouse►Plasma►Gasification►technology►is►a►strong►conversion►process►for►biomass.►►While►our►gasifier►requires►a►fixed►bed►and►torch►power►to►process►most►feedstocks,►it►does►not►need►either►the►bed►or►torch►power►to►process►biomass►feedstock►with►less►than►2%►ash►content.►If►necessary,►the►gasifier►can►be►operated►with►a►fixed►bed►composed►of►BRIQs.►►BRIQs►are►made►from►recycled►particulate,►are►cheaper►than►met►coke►and►do►not►require►being►purchased►on►the►open►market.

Operating►our►gasifier►without►the►bed►and►torch►power►reduces►costs►compared►to►direct►gasification►and►in►the►case►of►ethanol►►it►can►increase►the►liquid►yield.►The►ability►to►blend►feedstock►significantly►reduces►the►net►operating►costs►of►plasma►gasification.►Feedstock►prices►and►availability►will►change►over►time.►►Installing►an►Alter►NRG►gasifier►at►a►biomass►facility►will►provide►a►customer►with►insurance►against►market►fluctuations►and►even►shortages►of►feedstock.►


Kevin► Willerton,► VP► Strategic► Alliances► and► Business► Development► of► Alter► NRG► hosted► the► representatives►providing►a►well-received►educational►session.►Several►presentations►were►given►by►Alter►NRG►and►Westinghouse►Plasma►employees.►

Allison►Newman,►Westinghouse►Plasma’s►sales►engineer,►provided►insight►into►other►plasma►torch►applications►aside►from►gasification►and►provided►the►group►with►a►tour►of►the►pilot►facility.►►

Alex► Gorodestsky,► gasification► engineer► at► Alter► NRG,► presented► a► plasma► gasifier► technology► update► to► the►representatives,►including►details►on►the►latest►gasifier►design►and►the►replacement►of►Met►Coke►with►BRIQs►for►the►bed►material.►

Bruce►Leonard,►Manager►of►Corporate►Development,►informed►the►representatives►of►the►target►markets►for►plasma►gasification►based►on►feedstock►(municipal►waste,►hazardous►waste►and►biomass)►and►key►downstream►markets►(energy►and►ethanol).►

Kevin►Willerton►provided►an►overview►of►how►Alter►NRG’s►strategic►alliances►can►help►the►representatives►with►their►sales►processes►and►gave►insights►into►the►fuel►replacement►market.►

Each►representative►also►gave►an►update►on►the►activity►in►their►regions,►encompassing►opportunities,►threats►and►the►overall►marketplace►for►plasma►gasification.

Attendees►were►fortunate►to►receive►a►presentation►from►Coskata►and►a►tour►of►their►new►facility,►Project►Lighthouse,►adjacent►to►the►Westinghouse►Plasma►Corp►pilot►plant.►Project►Lighthouse►is►Coskata’s►pilot►facility►that►is►producing►cellulosic►ethanol.►Biomass►is►processed►in►the►Westinghouse►Plasma►gasifier►to►generate►syngas.►The►syngas►is►piped►to►the►Lighthouse►Facility►where►Coskata►uses►it►to►feed►the►microscopic►bugs►to►generate►cellulosic►ethanol.►

Westinghouse Plasma Corp. Hosts First Representative MeetingOver two days in early November, all of the Westinghouse Plasma sales representatives were invited to meet at the Westinghouse Plasma Corp pilot plant in Madison, Pennsylvania for a business development session regarding the Alter NRG/Westinghouse Plasma technology.

Companies Representing the

Westinghouse Plasma Technology:Australia Moltoni►Energy

Brazil RGT►International►

China Wuhan►Restech

China AC►Capital

Greece,►Bulgaria,►Macedonia,►Albania

VI.PA►S.A.

India SMSIL

Israel Vecron►Holding►Limited

Italy Italplasma

Mexico Green-Tech►Brokering►GR►Investments

Middle►East►(Saudi►Arabia,►UAE,►Oman,►Kuwait,►Iraq,►Qatar,►Jordan)

Utilities►Holdings►International,►LLC

New►Zealand Moltoni►Energy

Poland MDI►Sp.►Z►o.o.

Spain Green-Tech►Brokering►GR►Investments►

United►Kingdom►(England,►Wales,►Scotland)

Waste2Tricity►Ltd

The success of this session has led to Westinghouse Plasma committing to semi-annual representative sessions.

Attendees of the Representative Meeting at the Westinghouse Plasma Pilot Plant


Geoplasma► has► now► engaged► Alter► NRG► for►engineering►support►and►other►services►related►to►this► project,► which► is► expected► to► lead► to► further►engineering►and►a►plasma►gasification►equipment►order►upon►successful►development.►Many►barriers►had► to►be►overcome►to►achieve► this►permit►–►how►was►this►done?

Of►utmost►importance►is►the►acknowledgement►by►Florida► State► that► waste► management► is► a► vital►issue.►“We’ve►only►got►the►size►of►the►planet,”►said►Richard► Tedder,► program► administrator► for► the►Florida►Department► of► Environmental► Protection’s►solid► waste► division.► “Because► of► all► of► the►pressures► of► development,► people► don’t► want►

landfills.► It’s►going►to►be►harder►and►harder►to►site►new►landfills,►and►it’s►going►to►be►harder►for►existing►landfills►to►continue►to►expand.”►►Hillburn►Hillestad,►the► President► of► Geoplasma,► Robert► Martin,► a►Senior►Engineer►at►Geoplasma►and►other►members►of► the► team► at► Geoplasma► were► instrumental► in►getting► regulatory► approval► from► the► Florida►Department► of► Environmental► Protection► (DEP).►Through► dedicated► effort,► they► were► diligent► in►educating► local► residents►and► the►Florida►DEP►on►the► technology► and► the► advantages► to► the► local►area.

Once► the► need► to► find► alternative► waste► disposal►methods►was►established,►St.►Lucie►County►set►out►

specific►criteria►for►its►technology►selection:►it►had►to►be► proven,► commercialized,► economically► viable,►and► environmentally► friendly.► Several► different►technologies►were►reviewed,►including►gasification,►bioreactors,► incineration,►anaerobic►digestion►and►plasma► gasification.► Leo► Cordeiro,► director► of► the►St.►Lucie►County►Solid►Waste►Department,►traveled►with►chair►of►the►county►board►of►commissioners►to►Japan►to►see►Eco-Valley►in►Utashinai,►a►commercial►example►of► the►Westinghouse►Plasma► technology.►In►the►end,►the►county►determined►that►only►plasma►gasification►met►all►four►criteria.

2 Guys, Regulatory Approval and A Big Project St. Lucie: how did they pull it together?

Another milestone has been reached in the development of Geoplasma’s St. Lucie, Florida plasma gasification energy from waste plant. This past July, Geoplasma received its final Air Construction Permit from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and is no longer subject to any appeal process.

4 http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-09-09-fla-county-trash_x.htm

“For the amount of energy produced, you get significantly less of certain pollutants like sulfur dioxide and particulate matter” - Rick Brandes, Chief of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Waste Minimization Division

The project site is within the boundaries of the existing

St. Lucie County landfill site

Highlights:• Located at a landfill site in St. Lucie

County, Florida• Processing 660 tonnes per day of

municipal solid waste and tires• Generating 25 MW of electricity• Florida Department of

Environmental Protection has granted the final Air Construction Permit for the facility

• The ground lease and energy sales agreements are two of the final steps, both under negotiation


A►ten►month►public►consultation►period►followed►the►technology► selection► process.► County► citizens► did►not►oppose►the►process,►however►‘non-stakeholders’►did► present► a► challenge,► insisting► that► plasma►gasification►is►the►same►as►incineration.►To►counter►this,► extensive► engineering► was► performed► by►county► engineers,► out-of-state► engineers,► and►Geoplasma► engineers► to► advance► the► system► to►meet► and► exceed► both► EPA► and► Florida► DEP►emissions►criteria.►

When► it► came► time► for► the► final► decision► on►implementing► Geoplasma’s► proposed► waste►management► technology► and► facility► for► St.► Lucie►County►in►June►2007,►all►five►commissioners►voted►in► favor.► Since► then,► both► Geoplasma► and► the►County► have► been► flexible► to► accommodate►changing► conditions.► The► planned► capacity► was►decreased►to►approximately►660►tons►per►day►due►to► economic► conditions► and► declining► waste►volumes.► Feedstock► will► consist► primarily► of►municipal► solid►waste► from►St.► Lucie►County,► plus►tires► and► other► permitted► feedstocks► and► convert►this►into►steam►and/or►25►MW►power.5

In►order► for► the► facility► to►survive►once►operations►begin,► two► critical► conditions► are► required:► a►guaranteed►fuel►supply,►and►a►contract► for►sale►of►electricity,► steam,► and/or► byproducts.► Geoplasma►has►a►20►year►agreement►with►St.►Lucie►County►to►process► the► waste► into► clean► energy► instead► of►continuing► to► bury► it► in► the► County► landfill.►Discussions►are►in►the►works►for►a►power►purchase►agreement►with►Florida►utilities.►

It►seems►promising►that►the►flexibility►demonstrated►throughout► past► stages► of► development► will►continue► into► the► future.► Alter► NRG► is► currently►advising►on►the►project►as►is►develops.►The►St.►Lucie►facility►will►have►the►potential► to►expand►to►accept►biomass► and► construction► and► demolition► waste.►Geoplasma►also►expects►to►contract/partner►with►a►recycling► company► that► will► operate► a► recovery►facility►at►the►front►end.►The►need►to►dispose►of►solid►waste► by► alternative►means► has► been► around► for►years,►Hillestad►said.►“But►the►economic►component►is►really►being►driven►by►the►fact►that►we►generate►a►lot►of►power.►That’s►green►power►from►a►renewable►source.”►6

The►ground►lease►and►energy►sales►agreements►are►two► of► the► final► steps,► both► under► negotiation.►Construction►could►begin►late►Q1►or►Q2►2011,►with►operations►beginning►March►2013►.7

5 http://www.publicpower.org/newsletters/ppmagazinedetailarchive.cfm?ItemNumber=25584

6 http://www.americanrecycler.com/dec06/b/progressive.shtml

7 http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2010/nov/09/st-lucie-county-geoplasma-could-agree-on-lease/

St. Lucie County Solid Waste Director Leo Cordeiro, left, and Assistant Director Ron Roberts,

right, pose at the St. Lucie County landfill in Fort Pierce, Fla.

Geoplasma is a subsidiary of the Jacoby Group which has business interests in Real Estate, Healthcare, Education as well as clean energy and has been advancing St. Lucie and other energy projects since 2003


What is Plasma?The► plasma► torch► is► an► electric► arc► gas► heater► which► can► be► utilized► in► high►temperature►industrial►processes.►As►the►process►energy►is►provided►by►direct►heat►transfer►from►an►electric►arc,►gases►of►widely►varying►chemical►composition►can►be►used.►

Plasma►torches►have►the►unique►capability►of►increasing►the►energy►of►the►process►gas►by►2►to►10►times►higher►than►that►of►conventional►combustion►equipment.►As►such,►the►plasma►torch►offers►distinct►advantages►over►traditional►methods.►These►advantages► include► control► of► process► variables,► such► as► precise► temperature►regulation,►process►gas►flexibility►and►increased►process►operating►temperature►not►typically►possible►by►conventional►means.

Westinghouse Plasma Corp. Torch Development Developed►in►the►early►1970’s,►the►Westinghouse►Plasma►torches►were►first►used►for►hydrocarbon► process► research► and► for► the► production► of► Solar► Grade► Silicon► for►NASA.► In► the► last► 40► years► Westinghouse► Plasma► has► sold► torches► to► over► 30►different►companies►with►the►majority►being►in►the►following►applications:

►● Metallurgical►Processing

►● Hazardous►Waste►Treatment

►● Boiler►Igniter►Replacement

►● Vitrification►(incinerator►ash,►etc.)

►● Chemical►Processes

►● High►Temperature►Applications

The► latest► torch►sales►were►sold► for►use► in►gasification►processes,►boiler► igniters,►metal►processing,►steel►blast►furnace,►acetylene►production,►iron►ore►pelletizing►and►ferrosilicon►powders.►

Plasma SubsystemThe►plasma►torch►system►is►comprised►of►the►following►elements,►which►allows►for►optimal►performance►of►the►plasma►torch►system:

1. The plasma torch is the center of the plasma system with several subsystems needed for torch operation.

2. A thyristor power supply is utilized to provide DC power to the torch.

3. A control system is necessary to vary process parameters and to interlock the power supply, gas and, water systems.

4. The electrodes in the torch are water cooled by a high pressure water cooling system.

5. The process gas system for the torch is supplied by a gas compressor or gas storage.

Tech Talk: Plasma Torch ApplicationsThe foundation of Westinghouse Plasma Corp. is its plasma torches. Prior to using torches in plasma gasification applications, Westinghouse Plasma was selling torches for high heat applications including metal melting.

MARC 11 Plasma Torch

Highlights:• Demand for plasma torches for use in

high temperature industrial applications is increasing as the prices of fossil fuels (coke, fuel oil) escalates

• Ideal uses for plasma torches include:• Metallurgical processes

• Blast Furnaces• Iron Ore Pelletizing

• Industrial Boiler Igniter Replacement• Hazardous waste destruction• Ash Vitrification

• The Westinghouse Plasma torches have been in use since the early 1970’s for high temperature applications


Westinghouse Plasma Torch Experience

Date Customer Application Plasma Torch Systems

2010 Undisclosed►Client►–►Metals►research MARC►11H

2010 SMS►Infrastructure,►Ltd.►►►Commercial►Vitrification►of►Common►Hazardous►Waste►

MARC►3A►

2009► SMS►Infrastructure,►Ltd.►►►►Commercial►Vitrification►of►Common►Hazardous►Waste►

MARC►3A►

2005► Georgia►Institute►of►Technology►►►►Laboratory►Application►

MARC►3A►

2002► Hitachi►Metals►Ltd.►►Commercial►Gasification►of►MSW►&►Waste►Water►Sludge►

MARC►3A►

2001► Hitachi►Metals►Ltd.►►Waste►to►Energy►Facility►Gasification►of►Auto►Shredder►Residue►&►Refuse►Derived►Fuel►

MARC►3A►

2000► Undisclosed►Client► MARC►3A►

1999► Hitachi►Metals►Ltd.►►Commercial►Gasification►of►MSW►

MARC►3A►

1995► Geneva►Steel►Corporation►►Commercial►Production►of►Molten►Iron►for►Steel►Making►

MARC►11►

1994► DuPont►Corporation►Materials►Synthesis►Development► MARC►3A►

1995► Ishkawajima-Harima►Heavy►Industries►Co.►(IHI)►►Commercial►Vitrification►of►MSW►Incinerator►Ash►

MARC►3A►

1993► Ishikawajima-Harima►Heavy►Industries►Co.►(IHI)►►Research►Lab►for►Vitrification►of►Incinerator►Ash►

MARC►3A►

1992► China►Steel►Co.►►Research►Lab►for►Metals►Production►

MARC►3A►

1992► ALCAN►(Aluminum►Canada►Ltd.)►Commercial►Aluminum►Dross►Recovery►Furnaces►

MARC►11H►

1990 ALCAN►(Aluminum►Canada►Ltd.),►►Research►Lab.►For►Aluminum►Dross►Recovery►

MARC►11H►

1989 General►Motors►Corporation►►►Commercial►Cast►Iron►Production►

MARC►11H►

1988 Consarc►Corp.►►►Research►Center►for►Refining►of►Refractory►Metals►

MARC►3A

1987 Eldorado►Resources►Ltd.►►Extraction►of►Uranium►from►Magnesium►Fluoride►Research►Center►

MARC►3A

1986 Pyrolysis►Systems►Inc.►►►Mobile►Trailer►for►Liquid►Toxic►Waste►Destruction►

MARC►3A

1985 Intermountain►Power►Co.►►►Commercial►Ignition►of►a►Pulverized►Coal►Boiler►

MARC►3A►

1985 Owens-Corning►►►Fiberglass►Research►Lab.►

MARC►3A►

1985 Studsvik►Energiteknik►►►Thermal►Simulation►of►a►Nuclear►Reactor►Core►Meltdown►

MARC►11►

1984 Pickands►-Mather►Co.►►Metal►Project►Development►of►Plasma►Iron►Reduction►and►Steelmaking►

MARC11►

1983 Westinghouse►Research►and►Development►Lab.► MARC►11►MARC►3A

1981 Cockerill►Steel►Co.►►►Commercial►super-heating►of►blast►furnace►air►to►reduce►coke►usage►

MARC►3A

1980 SKF►Steel►Co.►►Commercial►Sponge►Iron►Production►

MARC►11►

1977 Westinghouse►Research►►►Jet►Propulsion►Lab.►NASA►Production►of►Solar►Grade►Silicon►

MARC►11►

1975 Westinghouse►Research►►Arc►Heater►Project

MARC►11►

1973 International►Minerals►&►Chemicals►Corp.►►Phosphate►Defluorination►Process►

MARC►11►

1971 Dow►Chemical►Corp►►Hydrocarbon►Process►Research►

MARC►11►

Westinghouse Plasma torches have 40 years experience in a variety of high temperature applications.


The►Alter►NRG►owned►Westinghouse►Plasma►technology►has►a►10►year►successful►track►record►of►commercially►operating► facilities► in► Japan► and► India► along► with► a►demonstration►facility►in►the►U.S.►and►one►being►built►in►China.► Westinghouse► Plasma► has► spent► more► than►$100►million►in►R&D►funding►over►a►period►of►25►years.►Since► acquiring►Westinghouse►Plasma►Corporation► in►2007,► Alter► NRG► and► its► customers► have► spent► over►$20MM►on►technology►upgrades.►

Tech Talk: The Fourth Generation Alter NRG Plasma Gasification Design is HereSince acquiring Westinghouse Plasma Corp. in 2007, Alter NRG has been continuously improving its plasma gasification technology, now in its fourth generation. Innovative efforts have focused on reducing capital and operating costs, improving efficiency and operability, and increasing the ability to process a wide range of feedstocks. The technology has evolved through expanded product offerings, balance of plant integration, comprehensive performance assurance guarantees and proven reliability.

PHASE 1

Acquisition of

Westinghouse

Plasma

• In 2007 Westinghouse Plasma sold only plasma torches and provided basic engineering preliminary diagrams.

• Our customers wanted a more complete solution…

PHASE 2

Expanded

Product Offering

• During 2008, Westinghouse Plasma expanded the gasifier vessel design and expanded scope of the gasifier island to include:

- Quench system

- Slag system

- Refractory optimization

• As well, Westinghouse Plasma used independent third parties to perform detailed capital costing.

• Westinghouse Plasma was then able to offer a full “gasifier island” which can be integrated with other conventional equipment to create energy.

PHASE 3

Integrated

Product Offering

• During 2009, Westinghouse Plasma integrated its gasifier island into the complete energy facility performing independent engineering on the steam cycle, combined cycle power island, the syngas clean-up, and the feedstock handling systems.

• Westinghouse Plasma took all of the independent engineering and got to a +/- 10% level of costing on the gasifier island and also a full 3D model on the entire energy facility.

PHASE 4

Improved Product

Offering

• Reduced capital by approximately 30% through:

- International sourcing

- Design optimization

• Reduced operational cost by approximately 30% through:

- Metcoke bed replacement

- Reduced parasitic load

• The Westinghouse Plasma facilities are now able to get facility performance guarantees through a leading engineering company, Technip.

Evolution Supported by:

Highlights:Focus of Generation 4 plasma gasification technical development has improved design resulting in:• Reduced Operating Cost - alternative

bed material in some cases only 30% of the cost of a metallurgical coke bed

• Reduced Capital Cost - reduced by up to 30% for the Alter NRG scope from original cost estimates

• Improved Efficiency - optimize overall torch power usage

• Improved Operability – based on learnings from the Eco-Valley facility


Vessel Design OptimizationAlter►NRG’s►next► generation►design► includes►modifications► resulting► from►operating►problems►experienced►at►Eco-Valley.►Enhanced►design►tools,►such►as► flow► analysis► and► refractory,► as► well► as► strategic► partnerships► with►engineering► companies► and► material► supply► companies,► are► continually►being►used►to►improve►design.►Modifications►and►improvements►have►been►tested►and►implemented►at►pilot►plant►to►further►prove►new►design►elements.►

Eco-Valley, Utashinai Facility Operational LearningsThe►Eco-Valley► facility► in►Utashinai,► Japan►experienced► three►operating► issues►including►bottom►diameter►sizing,►refractory,►and►carry-over.►These►issues►were►rectified►through►thermal►modeling,►comparison►of►existing►plant►data,►testing►in►our►pilot►plant,►and►design►modifications.►Today,►the►Eco-Valley►gasifier►is►running►extremely►well.►Also►incorporated►into►the►gasifier►design►is►the►experience►of►Mr.►Shinichi► Osada,► who► helped► design► the► Japanese► facilities► and►who►was► the►General►Manager►for►Eco-Valley►before►he►retired►and►became►a►consultant►for►Alter►NRG.►

Generation 1 Generation 3/4

Optimization of flow reducing High velocity zones,

minimizing carryover

CFD Modeling - Gas flows, Temperatures

Generation 2

Gasifier Vessel Development The►design►of►the►gasification►vessel►has►evolved►into►an►optimized►solution►by►incorporating►operational► learnings►the►commercial► facilities,►simulations,►and►testing►at►the►pilot►facility.►Each►generation►of►the►gasification►vessel►builds►upon►learnings►and►experience►of►the►previous►design.►The►initial►gasification►vessel,►Generation► 1,► closely► resembled► a► metal► melting► cupola► which► resulted► in►several►inefficiencies►in►the►plasma►gasification►process.►Generation►2►addressed►the►operating► inefficiencies►of►Generation►1►by► increasing► the► freeboard►area►which►resulted►in►a►longer►residence►time.►This►led►►to►a►decrease►in►particulate►matter► carry-over► and► tar► formation.► Generation► 3► focused► on► optimizing► the►available► volume► in► the►gasification► vessel►by► redesigning► the► freeboard►area►based► on► the► learnings► from► the► Eco-Valley► facility.► Today,► Generation► 4►incorporates►all►learnings►from►commercially►operating►facilities►and►focuses►on►the► optimization► of► the► gasification► vessel► including► a► reduced► capital► and►operational►cost.


Foundry►coke►has►been►used►as►bed►material►at►all►facilities►using►the►Westinghouse►Plasma►technology,►possessing►good►attributes.►However,►it►is►a►fossil►fuel►with►the►associated► negative► perceptions,► it► is► expensive,► and► is► not► readily► available►globally.► These► shortcomings► have► been► addressed.► Residual► material► (BRIQs)►created►through►the►plasma►gasification►process►was►used►as►a►replacement►for►metallurgical►coke►as►bed►material►in►multiple►runs►at►the►pilot►plant.►Results►were►very► positive► both► operationally► and► economically.► Virtually► all► of► the► potential►waste►generated►by►the►process►is►now►recycled.

Alter►NRG►has►recently►filed►for►a►provisional►patent►for►the►use►of►these►alternative►bed► materials,► eliminating► the► need► for► fossil► fuels► in► its► plasma► gasification►process.►

Refractory Thermal Modeling Work

Finite Element Analysis for Vessel Mechanical Integrity

Residual material for use as bed material

Prediction of slag freezing plane

Increasing Refractory Performance And Improving Vessel Integrity

Optimization of Gasifier Design

“Globally, it is imperative that we reduce our need on fossil fuels for energy production. As a leader in the alternative energy sector we believe that we need to be leading these types of innovations.”

- Mark Montemurro, CEO of Alter NRG

Testing BRIQ material with a Westinghouse Plasma Torch

Replacement of metallurgical coke as a bed material improves both the economics and the environmental impact of the process

Bed Material Improvements


Seeing Plasma Gasification First Hand: Touring the Eco-Valley, Utashinai FacilityIn 2003, Eco-Valley became one of the first energy from waste facilities in the world to utilize the Westinghouse Plasma gasification technology on a commercial basis. Eco-Valley is located in Utashinai, Japan and has been successfully processing municipal solid waste (MSW) and auto shredder residue for over seven years.

The► facility► processes► up► to► 220► tonnes-per► day► of►MSW► or► up► to► 165►tonnes►per►day►of►a►50/50►mixture►of►MSW►and►auto►shredder►residue.►The►facility► was► designed► primarily► as► a► waste► destruction► facility► and►

secondarily►as►an►electricity►production►facility.►

The►technology►used►at►Eco-Valley►is►a►result►of►a►successful►collaboration►between► Westinghouse► Plasma► Corp.► and► Hitachi► Metals.► ► Alter► NRG►regularly► organizes► tours► of► the► Eco-Valley► facility► where► only► guests► of►Alter►NRG►can►visit►the►facility.►

“Our visit reinforced there is confidence in the technology promoted and that as it is the Japanese local governments that actually own and operate these plants themselves, this highlights that there do appear to be suitable mechanisms available to control these type of facilities and that this can be achieved.” - Town of Kwinana, Australia

Attendees at Eco-Valley viewing the control room

“Utashinai and Mihama Mikata (Westinghouse technology) are the only plasma gasification plants processing MSW in the world on a commercial basis at this time.” -Juniper Consulting


Municipal governments, including: ● City of Sacramento, California

● Taunton

● City of New Orleans, Louisiana

● Department of Environmental Affairs, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana

● St. Tammary Parish, Louisiana

● Kwinana Town Council, Australia

● Moscow Region, Russia

● INEA, Environmental State Institute, Brazil

School, including: ● COPPE ( Alberto Luiz Coimbra Institute of Post Graduate and

Research), Brazil

Clients, including: ● Air Products

● US. Science and Technology (USST)

● Wuhan Kaidi Holding Investment Co. Ltd.

● Wuhan Kaidi Electric Power Engineering Co. Ltd.

● Dalian MEC Environmental Technology & Engineering Co. Ltd.

● China Energy Conservation Investment Corporation

● Shanghai Institute of Mechanical & Electrical Engineering Co.

● GES Corp.

● Waste2Tricity

● Alliance Federated Energy

● Corvelle Ryan

● Atco Power

● Pannone Lopes Devereaux & West LLC

● Alternative Resources, Inc.

● Sun Energy Group

● MWH Americas, Inc.

● Camp Dresser & McKee Inc.

● Simon Carves

● Plasma Recycling Ltd. Israel

● Coronal

● Plasma Renewable

● GE

● Juniper Consultancy

● Firebox Energy System

● ECO Manufacturing

● Saint-Gobain Ceramic Materials

● Braskem

● Cetrel/Lumina

● Comlurb - (Waste Municipality Company of Rio de Janeiro)

● NRG Energy

● Hatch

● Taliya

● ItalPlasma

● GTS Energy Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

● Shun Green

● GTL Utility Resources

● Moltoni Energy

● Alcoa

● MGSSI

● Tangshan Xinfeng Group

● GES

● Carbonium

● TBC Innovations

Visitors to UtashinaiVisitors► are► hosted►by►Mr.► Syuichi►Mukai,►the► Utashinai► Plant► Manager► and► a►representative► from► Alter► NRG.► The►attendees► view►all► aspects► of► the► facility,►seeing► the► municipal► waste► arriving,► the►plasma► gasification► reactor,► the► control►room►and►the►slag►by-product►discharging►from►the►reactor.

Municipalities► and► government► officials►along►with►many►of►Alter►NRG’s►prospective►and►current►customers►are►among►the►list►of► attendees► to► view► the► plasma►gasification►technology►in►operation.►Since►2007,►over►10► tours►have► taken►place►at►the►facility.►

A crane hoisting the waste which will be placed in the plasma gasification reactor

Visitors to the Eco-Valley Facility:

Eco-Valley, Utashinai Facility


Pune and Nagpur On► June► 15,► 2010,► Alter► NRG► signed► a► strategic► alliance► agreement► with► SMS►Envocare►Ltd.,►a►group►company►of►SMS► Infrastructures►Limited► (“SMSIL”),► India’s►largest► civil► engineering► and► infrastructure► development► company.► Using► the►Westinghouse► Plasma► technology,► SMS►Envocare► has► constructed► two► hazardous►energy►from►waste►facilities►in►India.►The►first,►at►Ranjangaon,►Pune,►began►operations►in► 2009,► and► has►met► all► prevailing► regulatory► requirements.► Construction► of► the►Butibori,►Nagpur►facility►is►complete,►with►commissioning►expected►in►early►2011.►

These►facilities►demonstrate►the►ability►of►the►Westinghouse►Plasma►torches►to►gasify►a►multitude►and►variety►of►feedstocks.►Each►facility►has►a►capacity►of►30-75►tonnes►per►day►of►hazardous►waste,►and►exports►1.6MW►of►electricity►to►the►grid.►The►primary►by-product►of►the►gasification►process►is►an►inert►vitrified►slag►which►is►sold►and►used►for►road►aggregate.►At►each►site,►the►gasification►facility►is►part►of►a►larger►Eco-Park,►which► includes►an►analytical►and► instrument► lab,►as►well►as►a►secured►hazardous►waste►landfill►for►low►calorific►value►waste.►►

India►has►been►experiencing►rapid►industrial►and►economic►growth►in►recent►years,►producing► more► hazardous► waste► than► ever► before.► Heavy► metals► and► other►pollutants►from►hazardous►waste►can►have►a►serious►effect►on►human►health►and►the►environment.►Open,► illegal► incineration►of► these►wastes►causes►emissions►of►SOx,►NOx► and► particulate► matter.► These► toxins► can► also► leach► into► the► groundwater,►entering►the►already►limited►human►water►supply.►Managing►this►waste►at►a►common►site► allows► for► greater► possibility► of► recovery► of► material,► increased► ease► and►economic►viability,►and►more►efficient►environmental►monitoring.

India: Destroying Hazardous Waste

Pune Facility

Nagpur Facility


Project Updates:Alter NRG’s strategic partners are developing projects around the world using the Westinghouse Plasma gasification technology, below is a list of a few of these projects and their project status:

St. Lucie, FloridaGeoplasma► is► developing► a► 25►MW► plasma► gasification► waste►to► energy► plant► in► St.► Lucie,►Florida.► The► facility► is► expected►to► process► approximately► 660►tons► per► day► of► primarily►municipal► solid► waste► from► St.►Lucie► County,► plus► tires► and►other► permitted► feedstocks► for►conversion► into► steam► and/or►power.► Geoplasma► received► its►final► Air► Construction► Permit►from►the►Florida►Department►of►Environmental► Protection► in►July,► 2010► and► is► no► longer►subject►to►any►appeal►process.

Koochiching County, MinnesotaCoronal► LLC► is► developing► the► Renewable► Energy► Clean► Air►Project► (RECAP)►using► the►Westinghouse►Plasma►Gasification►technology► in► Koochiching► County,► Northern►Minnesota.► The►facility►is►expected►to►gasify►a►variety►of►feedstocks,►including►municipal►waste,►regional►woody►biomass►waste►and►biosolids►from► the► nearby► waste► water► treatment► facility► to► create►syngas,► then► steam► or► electricity► for► use► in► the► local► area.►Koochiching► Development► Authority► has► contracted► with► the►Minnesota►Pollution►Control►Agency►for►the►release►of►US$2.5►million►in►funding►from►the►State►of►Minnesota►for►the►project.►The► State► funding► is► expected► to► be► matched► from► the► US►Department►of►Energy.

Tees Valley, UKAir►Products►recently►announced►plans►to►build►a►new►49MW►renewable► energy► plant► in► Tees► Valley► using► Alter► NRG’s►Westinghouse►Plasma►Gasification►technology.►The►facility►will►convert► 950► tonnes► per► day► of► pre-processed► waste► into►baseload► renewable► power► through► a► combined► cycle► power►configuration.► This► facility► will► generate► electricity► for► up► to►50,000►homes►and►divert►300,000►-►350,000►tonnes►of►waste►from►landfills.

The project site is within the boundaries of the existing St. Lucie County landfill site

“The RECAP project receiving these significant grant monies is a major milestone for the project. Koochiching Development Authority and ourselves as the developer, are adequately capitalized to take the project through preliminary design and regulatory approvals.”

- John Howard, Chief Technical Officer and Stephen Korstad, Chief Financial Officer, of

Coronal LLC

Schematic of the proposed facility in the UK


“Our Apollo project is moving forward aggressively with support from state and local jurisdictions. Our relationship with Alter NRG is an important component of our strategy and we are very pleased to have access to their industry leading Westinghouse Plasma Technology”

- Christopher Maloney, Chairman and CEO of AFE

Wuhan, ChinaAlter► NRG► and► Wuhan► Kaidi► signed►an►alliance►agreement► in►May►2010►to►construct►a►demonstration►facility►and►development►of►future►biomass-to-energy► projects► in► the► Chinese►market.► The► demonstration► facility►will► complete► construction► in► Q1,►2011.► Wuhan► Kaidi,► the► leading►green► energy► company► in► China,►plans► to► develop► more► than► 150►biomass► projects► throughout► China►using► the► Westinghouse► Plasma►Gasification►technology

Milwaukee, WisconsinAlliance► Federated► Energy► (AFE)► is► currently► developing►Project►Apollo,►25MW►plasma►gasification►based►renewable►energy► project► located► in► Milwaukee,► Wisconsin► which►plans►to►be►operational►in►late►2013.►The►first►phase►of►the►renewable► energy► facility► is► expected► to► process►approximately►1000►tons►of►municipal►and►industrial►waste►per► day.► Alter► NRG► and► AFE► signed► an► exclusive► license►agreement► for► all► feedstocks► in► the► States► of► Illinois,►Wisconsin► and► Indiana► and► hazardous► waste► for► the►continental►U.S.►in►September,►2010.

Nagpur, India SMS► Envocare► has► recently►completed►construction►of►its►second►facility► using► the► Westinghouse►Plasma►Technology►for►treatment►and►disposal► of► hazardous► waste► at►Butibori,►Nagpur►in►India.►Designed►to►destroy►30-75►metric►tonnes►per►day►of► hazardous► waste► with► the►capability► to► export► 1.6► MW► of►electricity,► the► facility► is► expected► to►be► operational► in► early► 2011.► SMS►Envocare►intends►to►construct►further►plasma►gasification►facilities►for►itself►and► other► customers► in► India► and►other►parts►of►the►world.

“We are pleased to be working with the Westinghouse plasma solution and believe it provides fuel flexibility for the more than 150 biomass projects that we plan to develop throughout China.”

- Mr. Chen Yilong, Chairman of Kaidi


Other Recent News and Highlights►● Signed►an►Engineering►Services►Agreement►with►Air►Products►for►$1.2M►►(October►27,►2010)

►● Announced►the►expansion►of►the►proposed►project►in►Dufferin►County►and►the►creation►of►an►Ontario►Development►Company,►Navitus►Plasma►(October►21,►2010)

►● Signed►a►collaboration►agreement►with►Technip►USA,►a►major►EPC►company,►to►market►the►Westinghouse►Plasma►Technology►and►provide►full►facility►performance►guarantees►(October►7,►2010)

►● Announced►being►recognized►as►a►finalist►in►the►Platts►Global►Energy►Awards►and►the►Ernst►and►Young►Entrepreneur►of►the►Year►(October►4,►2010)

►● Announced►a►plasma►project►in►Minnesota►that►received►US►$2.5M►of►State►funding►(September►28,►2010)

►● Signed►a►22►month►extension►agreement►with►Coskata►valued►at►a►minimum►value►of►US$4.1M►(September►22,►2010)

►● Signed►a►Technology►Site►License►Agreement►with►Air►Products►for►US$500,000►(September►20,►2010)

►● Announced►engineering►services►agreement►for►a►24►MW►energy►from►waste►project►in►St.►Lucie►County,►Florida►(September►16,►2010)

►● Announced►AFE►first►project,►Project►Apollo,►located►in►Milwaukee,►WI.►This►project►represents►approximately►$30M►to►Alter►NRG►(September►7,►2010)

►● Signed►an►exclusive►license►agreement►with►AFE►for►approximately►$11.4M►(September►7,►2010)

►● Air►Products►announced►plans►to►build►a►new►49MW►renewable►energy►plant►in►Tees►Valley►in►the►UK.►This►project►represents►approximately►$20M►to►Alter►NRG►(July►20,►2010)

►● A►►WTE►project►in►St.►Lucie►County,►FL►received►its►air►permit,►which►represents►the►first►commercial►permitting►of►a►WTE►facility►using►the►WPC►plasma►gasification►in►North►America.►This►project►represents►approximately►$25M►to►Alter►NRG►(June►17,►2010)

►● Selected►as►the►technology►provider►for►an►industrial►waste►project►in►Spain►(June,►2010)

►● Signed►a►strategic►alliance►agreement►with►SMS►EnvoCare►Ltd.►(June►15,►2010)

►● Signed►a►$1M►equipment►sale►and►strategic►alliance►agreement►with►Wuhan►Kaidi►Holding►Investment►Co.►Ltd.►(May►4,►2010)

NRG Focus by Alter NRG Corp.

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Transcript of NRG Focus by Alter NRG Corp.