|
Gasification is a flexible technology that converts hydrocarbons such as coal, petroleum coke, and biomass into syngas, which, in turn, can be converted into hydrogen, electricity, and a variety of chemicals, fertilizers, and liquid fuels. Gasification results from the endothermic reaction of hydrocarbons with steam at high temperatures. The product of gasification is a gaseous mixture of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and light hydrocarbons. Gasification is an efficient, commercially-proven process that converts low-value feedstocks into the building blocks of high-value fuel products.
The gasification process is the same for coal, oil, biomass, oils or any hydrocarbon or carbon based material. The fundamental difference is the O:C and H:C ratios within the matrix. Gasification produces CO and H2. As biomass contains a significant amount of oxygen, more CO2 is generated relative to CO. Because coal contains small amounts of O, it makes more CO.
|
