Biomass and Conversion Technologies

Gasification

Gasification is a process that uses heat, pressure, and steam to convert materials directly into a gas composed primarily of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. Gasification technologies differ in many aspects but rely on four key engineering factors:

1. Gasification reactor atmosphere (level of oxygen or air content).
2. Reactor design.
3. Internal and external heating.
4. Operating temperature.

Typical raw materials used in gasification are coal, petroleum-based materials, and organic materials. The feedstock is prepared and fed, in either dry or slurried form, into a sealed reactor chamber called a gasifier. The feedstock is subjected to high heat, pressure, and either an oxygen-rich or oxygen-starved environment within the gasifier. Most commercial gasification technologies do not use oxygen. All require an energy source to generate heat and begin processing.

There are three primary products from gasification:

• Hydrocarbon gases (also called syngas).
• Hydrocarbon liquids (oils).
• Char (carbon black and ash).

Syngas is primarily carbon monoxide and hydrogen (more than 85 percent by volume) and smaller quantities of carbon dioxide and methane. Syngas can be used as a fuel to generate electricity or steam, or as a basic chemical building block for a multitude of uses. When mixed with air, syngas can be used in gasoline or diesel engines with few modifications to the engine.

List of Gasification Vendors

Last updated: October 21, 2008