Gasification

Gasification is a process of heating carbonaceous materials, in the presence of limited oxygen, to form carbon monoxide hydrogen and methane; which is then burnt in a second stage (where we get CO₂+H₂O+heat). This is done to achieve higher efficiencies, getting more energy from the fuel, and reducing most pollutants.

Gasification is useful in:

• Coal power stations. This can make coal burn more cleanly and efficiently. Note that burning coal "cleanly" avoids the production of hydrocarbons (which are more serious greenhouse gases than carbon dioxide) but even in the best case, coal is a serious contributor to greenhouse gases.
• Biomass gasification, including:
  • Gasifying stoves,[1] a type of improved cookstove for the majority world.

• Wikipedia:Gasification
• GTZ: Micro-gasification: "Cooking with gas from biomass" (excellent manual of micro-gasification, 100 pages !)
• GEK Gasifier wiki