Biofurnace

The Biofurnace of 2035 will look very different from today’s prototypes. Synthetic biologists are engineering custom organisms to supercharge performance.

The modular nature of the Biofurnace allows it to be scaled from a household appliance to an industrial plant. biofurnace

Is the Biofurnace a green panacea? The data is compelling but nuanced. The Biofurnace of 2035 will look very different

: Unlike traditional coal furnaces, industrial biofurnaces utilize a dual-combustion approach. For instance, the Bio_MGT system combines biomass combustion with natural gas to drive micro gas turbines. Key Components : the PCM absorbs it

To handle fluctuating demand, the furnace incorporates a phase-change material (PCM) core—often a salt hydrate that melts at 300°C. When the furnace produces excess heat, the PCM absorbs it; when demand spikes, the PCM solidifies and releases that heat.

Biofurnace

<p>Story by Amanda Fortini / Photography by Jean-Paul Goude</p>
Nov 12, 2014

The Biofurnace of 2035 will look very different from today’s prototypes. Synthetic biologists are engineering custom organisms to supercharge performance.

The modular nature of the Biofurnace allows it to be scaled from a household appliance to an industrial plant.

Is the Biofurnace a green panacea? The data is compelling but nuanced.

: Unlike traditional coal furnaces, industrial biofurnaces utilize a dual-combustion approach. For instance, the Bio_MGT system combines biomass combustion with natural gas to drive micro gas turbines. Key Components :

To handle fluctuating demand, the furnace incorporates a phase-change material (PCM) core—often a salt hydrate that melts at 300°C. When the furnace produces excess heat, the PCM absorbs it; when demand spikes, the PCM solidifies and releases that heat.