Syngas (from synthesis gas) is the name given to gases of varying composition that are generated in coal gasification and some types of waste-to-energy gasification facilities.Beychok, M.R., Process and environmental technology for producing SNG and liquid fuels, U.S. EPA report EPA-660/2-75-011, May 1975Beychok, M.R., Coal gasification and the Phenosolvan process, American Chemical Society 168th National Meeting, Atlantic City, September 1974 The name comes from their use as intermediates in creating synthetic natural gas (SNG) and synthetic ammonia. Syngas is also used as an intermediate in producing synthetic petroleum for use as a fuel or lubricant via Fischer-Tropsch synthesis.

Syngas consists primarily of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, and has less than half the energy density of natural gas. Syngas is combustible and often used as a fuel source or as an intermediate in the production of other chemicals. Syngas for use as a fuel is most often produced by gasification of coal or municipal waste. As an intermediate in the large-scale, industrial synthesis of ammonia, it is also produced from natural gas (via the steam-methane reforming reaction) as follows:

CH₄ + H₂O → CO + 3 H₂

The syngas produced in large waste-to-energy gasification faciliies is used as fuel to generate electricity.Waste-to-energy plants

Coal gasification processes are reasonably efficient and were used for many years to manufacture illuminating gas (coal gas) for gas lighting, before electric lighting became widely available.

See also

• IGCC
• Gasification
• Manufactured Gas Plant
• Town gas

References