Gasification unit. Historical cutaway illustration of a gasification unit (wood gas generator), also known as a gazogene. Gasification converts carbon-based materials, such as coal, biofuel and biomass, into a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen (wood gas) for use as a fuel. This unit is a design by the French engineering company Fichet-Heurtey. It includes an injector to control the air flow. Artwork from 'Moteurs' (1911) by French civil engineer Max de Nansouty (1854-1913), part of the 'Les merveilles de la science' series of 1867-1891 by Louis Figuier.