Syngas Synthesis & Use

Group 6: Jacob Hebert, Michael

McCutchen, Eric Powell, Jacob
Reinhart

Syngas
Short name for synthetic gas made up of
hydrogen and carbon monoxide
Created by the process of gasification (biomass
steam reforming)
CH4 + H2O 3H2 + CO
Main use is for the generation of electricity

Purpose of Syngas
Syngas is an intermediate compound
that holds many valuable uses.
Production of syngas has:
opened up a wide variety of research
opportunities in renewable energy
sources
provided efficient production of other
chemicals
environmental benefits
provided a safer fuel source

Use: Electricity Generation

Steam reforming is used to produce a liquid called
pyrolysis oil, used like crude oil.
Syngas has the ability to replace natural gas as a more
thermally efficient liquid fuel.
Electricity can be generated from the power provided by
the combustion of syngas at the cost of zero carbon
emissions
This provides a much cleaner, economical, and
renewable source instead of our common reliability on
natural gas.

http://biomassmagazine.com/articles/1399/syn
gas-101

Use: Gas Engines

Syngas is considered a renewable fuel since its
origins mainly come from biological materials
such as organic waste.
Putting a carbonic waste stream through syngas
synthesis converts waste to power through
combustion.
Benefits include : renewable power, reduction of
carbon emissions, problematic wastes to usable
fuel, and onsite power production.
http://www.clarke-energy.com/synthesis-gas
-syngas/

Intermediate for other compounds

Methanol: Serves as a fuel that has a high octane
rating, easily distributable, and its low volatility

Ammonia: use as a cleaning solution, fertilizers,

and is used in the production of many organic
compounds like our pharmaceuticals and plastics

Synthesis Methods
Carbon feedstock is reacted with H 2O and/or O2 to
produce H2 and CO in a process called Gasification

Types of carbon feedstocks:

Natural gas and Heavy Oil:
Requires purification of methane and higher
hydrocarbons respectively

Biomass and Coal:

Requires pyrolysis prior to gasification
Pyrolysis: decomposition of carbon material by heating
in the absence of oxygen

Gasification: Steam
Reforming
Steam Reforming:
Feedstock reacts with steam to produce CO
and H2
CH4 + H20 CO + 3H2 H = +206kJ/mol
Results in CO:H2 ratio of 1:3
Highly endothermic reaction
Operating temperature can range from 800K to
1500K
Heat generated by combusting part of feed stock or
external heating
Catalysts used to enhance reaction kinetics

Pyrolysis Example

pyrolysis system for biomass

http://biomassmagazine.com/articles/10537/mobilizingpyrolysis

Steam Reforming Example

Steam reforming plant: Texas City, Texas.

http://www.lindeengineering.com/en/process_plants/hydrogen_and_synthesis_gas_plants/gas_generation/steam_reforming/index.html

Gasification: Partial
Oxidation
Partial Oxidation:
Feedstock reacts with oxygen to produce
CO and water; generated water reacts
with feedstock
CH4 + 0.5O2 CO + 2H2 H = -38kJ/mol
Results in CO:H2 ratio of 1:2, which is
desirable for methanol synthesis
Exothermic, so requires less heat
generation

Other Gasification
Reactions
Autothermal Reforming:
Combines steam reforming and partial
oxidation into one process
Can be used with CO2 feed to yield different
CO:H2

Water Gas Shift:

Equilibrium reaction converting between CO
and H2
CO + H2O CO2 + H2 H = -41kJ/mol
Control T and P for desired CO: H2 ratio

Room for improvement

According to an article in Joshua
Mackaluso in Basic Biotechnology
eJournal, some areas requiring future
research are:
Reactor design and function must be
optimized
Downstream marketability of syngas
and its derived products and be
improved

Steam Reforming Challenges

Controlling ratio of H2/CO, which can
be different for different applications
(H2 storage, alcohol synthesis)
Achieving good conversion need to
balance side reactions,
thermodynamics, kinetics
Need a good water source, can be a
geographical concern
General catalyst concerns
Nickel catalyst
http://www.catalyst.net.cn/timemodel/product/2012-0326/13769647.html

Partial Oxidation Challenges

Requires substantial O2 supply
Very high temperatures (1400C)
Generates byproducts which need to be
scrubbed (e.g. HCN)

but no catalyst is used, so no issues

with catalyst poisoning, coking etc. and
less to consider with pressure drop,
transport properties etc.

Future for Syngas

As stated in an article by Jessica
Ebert of Biomass Magazine once you
have syngas you have optionality.
This is because Syngas has the
building blocks to create all the
products and chemicals currently
generated in the petrochemical
industry.

Conclusions
We can see that Syngas production
while not yet optimized is a very
important product. It is versatile and
has a variety of uses.
As research continues and reactors
are optimized Syngas may even
become a primary source of fuel; as
mentioned it can replace natural gas.

References
Synthesis Gas Chemistry and Synthetic Fuels - Syngaschem BV.
(n.d.). Retrieved February 5, 2015, from http://
www.syngaschem.com/syngaschem
Synthesis Gas | Linde Engineering. (n.d.). Retrieved February 5,
2015, from http://
www.linde-engineering.com/en/process_plants/hydrogen
The magic of syngas. (n.d.). Retrieved February 5, 2015, from
http://www.chemrec.se/Syngas_the_link_from
Mackaluso, J. (n.d.). The use of Syngas derived from biomass and
waste products to produce ethanol and hydrogen.Basic
Biotechnology EJournal,3, 98-103. Retrieved from
http://large.stanford.edu/courses/2011/ph240/demori2/docs/2361576-1-PB.pdf
Anton, V. C. (2001). Fischer Tropsch: a futuristic view. Fuel
Processing Technology 71(1), pp. 149-155
https://web.anl.gov/PCS/acsfuel/preprint%20archive/Files/45_
1_SAN%20FRANCISCO_03-00_0124.pdf