System and method for reducing NOx emissions from gasification power plants

An apparatus that receives waste and generates energy by producing steam from the waste, the apparatus minimizing air pollutants by thermally processing the waste to produce a carbon free residual mineral, the apparatus comprising:

• a gasifier that receives the waste and air to produce a fuel gas;
• a reformer fluidly coupled to the gasifier, the reformer receives the fuel gas, a first stream of recycled flue gas, and a first stream of air to auto-thermally produce a reformed fuel gas and destroy pollutants in the fuel gas at a first temperature;
• a burner fluidly coupled to the reformer, the burner receives a second stream of recycled flue gas and a second stream of air to oxidize the reformed fuel gas at a second temperature that prevents formation of nitrogen oxide, the second temperature being lower than the first temperature;
• a quench chamber fluidly coupled to the burner, the quench chamber receives flue gas from the burner that is quenched with a third stream of recycled flue gas;
• and
• a heat recovery system fluidly coupled to the reformer, the burner, and the quench chamber to provide the first, second, and third streams of recycled flue gas, respectively.