Micro Auto Gasification System

What Is It?


The Micro Auto Gasification System (MAGS) is a solid waste disposal system that enables individual units to efficiently manage their own solid waste stream in an environmentally friendly manner. This system was developed under ONR Code 33’s Environmental Quality Discovery & Invention (D&I) program.

How Does It Work?


MAGS uses a controlled pyrolysis process to reduce up to 40 kilograms (kg) of as-received solid waste into inert carbonaceous material and synthetic gas (syngas) that is used to sustain the process. Glass and metal waste is sanitized and left intact, ready for recycling.

What Will It Achieve?


In one day, a MAGS unit can treat the waste generated by a community of 500. In two hours, MAGS reduces 40 kg of typical solid waste by more than 95 percent. The materials that are safely destroyed by MAGS include: paper, cardboard, wood, plastic, chemicals, food, cloth, oils, grease, biological material, animal waste, agricultural waste and sludge.

An energy efficient, compact solid waste disposal system is needed for both ships and shore facilities to minimize the environmental impact of naval operations.

The MAGS technology was developed by Terragon Environmental Technologies Inc., Montréal, Canada, in collaboration with the Office of Naval Research and the Canadian Department of Defence for use in naval vessels, shore facilities and isolated areas. The MAGS pyrolysis process achieves 750°C inside the insulated drum and sequesters a significant portion of the carbon reduction in the form of char, preventing the formation of substantial quantities of carbon dioxide.

The inert ash that remains may be safely landfilled. Glass and metal are sanitized and left intact, ready for recycling. The syngas produced is used to sustain the process. If needed, waste heat from the unit may be utilized for space or water heating or other purposes. Air emissions are not visible and are environmentally compliant.

MAGS is simple to operate and a unit can handle the daily waste stream for 1,000 Marines in an austere expeditionary setting or at a forward operating base. A unit is currently undergoing evaluation by the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific, at Camp Smith on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. Additional evaluation sites are being considered.

Research Challenges and Opportunities

  • Long-term operational reliability
  • Weight reduction to improve transportability
  • Continuous feed operation

Points of Contact


Science and Technology
Dr. Steven McElvany
steven.mcelvany@navy.mil

U.S. Marine Corps Evaluation
Donn Murakami, P.E.
donn.murakami@usmc.mil

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