Syngas

Syngas is the name for a synthetic gas, which is produced via the gasification of biomass, such as waste feedstock and garbage. Syngas is typically made up of hydrogen, carbon monoxide as well as carbon dioxide and methane in small amounts. Syngas can be converted into fuels such as hydrogen, natural gas or ethanol. Syngas can be used as a fuel to generate electricity and steam or as a chemical building block for the petrochemical and refining industries

Applications

Synthesis gas is mainly used as an intermediary building block for the final production (synthesis) of various fuels such as synthetic natural gas, methanol and synthetic petroleum fuel (dimethyl ether – synthesized gasoline and diesel fuel). In a purified state, the hydrogen component of syngas can also be used to directly power hydrogen fuel cells for electricity generation and fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) propulsion. 

Components of syngas used in various industries

Hydrogen

Electricity generation and transportation fuels

Nitrogen

Fertilizers, pressurizing agents

Ammonia

Fertilizers

Carbon monoxide

Chemical industry feedstock and fuels

Carbon dioxide

Injected into sequestration wells

Steam

Turbine drivers for electricity generation

 

 

 

 

 

Value Chain

Pre-processed (crushed, pelletized and dried biomass) feedstock is fed into the gasifier. A small amount of outside fuel is used for heating during start-up. This high-temperature, anaerobic environment leads to gasification of the material; during this time all of the substances break-down into mixture of environmentally safe gases and ash Gasification occurs in several stages, with syngas recirculating through the system to ensure complete gasification of all organic material. Gasification occurs at temperatures between 1112 and 2732 F and produces a low to medium-energy gas depending upon the process type and operating condition. The gas mixture undergoes further chemical alteration through injection of steam, produced on-site using waste heat from the gasification process.

 

The resulting syngas is fully captured, cooled, filtered, and partially used to sustain the process (at this stage, an external fuel source is no longer necessary). Syngas is then stored in a gasholder (optional) and used as a fuel for an internal combustion engine or a turbine-driven electric generator.

Business Opportunities from the Value Chain

Syngas production value chain provides business opportunities for entrepreneurs, equipment and machineries manufacturers, raw materials suppliers and those in the service sector. The costs of syngas production depend upon operating costs, including labor, maintenance, power, raw material cost and transport, and various other sundry charges, as well as a capital cost.

Feedstock Suppliers

A variety of waste feedstock and garbage are used for syngas production. Feedstocks include rice husk, spoiled grain products, debarking waste, forest residues, paper mill residue, pomace, scraps & spoilage, wood shavings, saw dust, animal waste, used vegetable oil, brewery waste, bamboo waste, etc. With supply chain bottle neck a constant threat, many large companies have responded by buying out suppliers of feedstock to run the business. By bringing in suppliers in house, they could ensure that they get a continuous supply of feedstock on time and at an acceptable price. Since diverse list of waste materials and typically any type of biomass waste can be used for briquette production, the business opportunity for supply of feedstock for briquetting plant holds great promise.

Opportunities in Manufacturing Sector

Excellent opportunities exist for the companies who manufacture the equipments and machineries for syngas production. Equipments for syngas production include : Biomass dryer, crusher, Biomass Feeding System (Conveyors and hoppers), Screw transport, Boiler for steam generations, Entrained flow gasifier or fluidized bed gasifier, Gas cooler, Gas cleaning system, CO2 removal system. There is off late an increased interest for production and usage of syngas especially to produce liquid fuels by catalytic conversion, FT synthesis etc. Since the process of thermal depolymerization and FT synthesis could literally convert any type of biomass to liquid fuel unlike fermentation or transesterification, the usage of these processes would increase considerably with mounting concerns over meeting the biofuel mandates. One can expect that this would have a positive influence on manufacturing sector that would play a vital role in syngas production.

Service Opportunities

  • Services include feasibility studies, studies on feedstock availability, and syngas production techniques.
  • Engineering companies design and develop equipments for syngas production. Companies provide consultation for the set up of syngas production plant.
  • Market research for syngas
  • Assisting syngas entrepreneurs in developing markets
  • Logistics

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