SYNGAS / POWER
Syngas, or synthesis gas, is a versatile and energy-rich gas mixture primarily composed of hydrogen (H₂), carbon monoxide (CO), and carbon dioxide (CO₂), produced through the pyrolysis of biomass. This gas is colourless and combustible, making it a valuable intermediate in producing a wide range of chemical products and as a renewable energy source. Syngas is integral to various industrial processes and is a cleaner alternative to conventional fossil fuels.
Applications Across Industries:
Energy Production: Syngas is widely used as a fuel in power generation. It can be burned directly in gas turbines or internal combustion engines to produce electricity and heat, making it an efficient and flexible energy source. Syngas is also used in combined heat and power (CHP) systems, where it enhances energy efficiency by simultaneously producing electricity and thermal energy from a single fuel source.
Chemical Industry: Syngas is a key feedstock for producing various chemicals, including methanol, ammonia, and synthetic hydrocarbons. Methanol produced from syngas is further processed into formaldehyde, acetic acid, and other chemicals essential for manufacturing plastics, resins, and solvents. Syngas is also used in the Fischer-Tropsch process to synthesise liquid fuels, offering a pathway to produce synthetic gasoline, diesel, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from renewable biomass.
Hydrogen Production: Syngas are an important source of hydrogen, which can be extracted through processes like steam reforming or water-gas shift reaction. The hydrogen produced is crucial for various industrial applications, including refining and chemical synthesis. It is also a clean fuel in hydrogen fuel cells for transportation and energy storage. Hydrogen from syngas provides a sustainable alternative to traditional hydrogen production methods that rely on natural gas.
Agriculture: Syngas can be utilised as a source of clean energy for powering agricultural machinery and greenhouses. Additionally, the CO₂ component of syngas can be captured and used in controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) to enhance plant growth by enriching the atmosphere with CO₂, promoting higher crop yields.
Construction: Syngas can be used to produce sustainable building materials. Through the Fischer-Tropsch process, syngas is converted into synthetic hydrocarbons, which can be processed into polymers and resins for use in construction materials. Thus, syngas offers a renewable alternative to petroleum-based products.
Carbon Credits and Sustainability: Syngas production and use contribute to sustainability by reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Syngas derived from biomass is considered carbon-neutral, as the CO₂ released during combustion is offset by the CO₂ absorbed by the biomass during growth. While not yet widely recognised in carbon credit programs, syngas's role in supporting a circular economy and reducing emissions is increasingly acknowledged, paving the way for its integration into sustainability frameworks.