Syngas

What is Syngas


Syngas is an abbreviation for synthesis gas, which is a mixture comprising of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen. The syngas is produced by gasification of a carbon containing fuel to a gaseous product that has some heating value. Some of the examples of syngas production include gasification of coal emissions, waste emissions to energy gasification, and steam reforming of coke.

The name syngas is derived from the use as an intermediate in generating synthetic natural gas and to create ammonia or methanol. It is a gas that can be used to synthesize other chemicals, hence the name synthesis gas, which was shortened to syngas. Syngas is also an intermediate in creating synthetic petroleum to use as a lubricant or fuel.

Syngas has 50% of the energy density of natural gas. It cannot be burnt directly, but is used as a fuel source. The other use is as an intermediate to produce other chemicals. The production of syngas for use as a raw material in fuel production is accomplished by the gasification of coal or municipal waste. In these reactions, carbon combines with water or oxygen to give rise to carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen. Syngas is used as an intermediate in the industrial synthesis of ammonia and fertilizer. During this process, methane (from natural gas) combines with water to generate carbon monoxide and hydrogen.

[link to biofuel.org.uk]