Syngas Information

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Syngas Information

• Syngas (synthesis gas) is a gas mixture produced
  by gasification of biomass materials. The gas
  contains varying amounts of carbon monoxide and
  hydrogen that can be converted into a gaseous
  fuel.
• Syngas Uses
• Converted to liquid fuels
• Hydrogen production
• Synthetic natural gas
  production
• Burned in internal combustion engines or
  turbines to generate electricity

John Nowatzki Ag Biosystems Engineering
dept. North Dakota State University John.Nowatzki_at_
ndsu.edu
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Gasification Advantages

• More efficient than direct combustion
• Syngas can be burned directly in engines
• Can be converted into synthetic liquid fuels
• Uses variety of materials such as
• Biomass
• Organic waste.
• Produces clean-burning fuels
• Biomass gasification is carbon neutral
• Biomass gasification is a renewable energy

John Nowatzki Ag Biosystems Engineering
dept. North Dakota State University John.Nowatzki_at_
ndsu.edu
3
Gasification Disadvantages

• Economics?
• Biomass materials are often dispersed
  difficult to collect
• Bulky to transport to processing facility.
• Gasifiers require modification for different
  biomass materials
• Gasifiers operate at high temperatures
• Syngas is best used onsite
• Can contain materials that condense when cooled

John Nowatzki Ag Biosystems Engineering
dept. North Dakota State University John.Nowatzki_at_
ndsu.edu
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Biomass Gasification
I Ton of Grass or Straw
24,583 cu ft of Syngas
120 Gallons of Ethanol
3,000 Miles in a Car!
John Nowatzki Ag Biosystems Engineering
dept. North Dakota State University John.Nowatzki_at_
ndsu.edu