Syngas heating values

The heating value of the resultant syngas mixture per mole of methane supplied, but now containing (1 — a) moles of CH4, /3 moles of hydrogen and (4a — (3) moles of... 

This is thus greater than the heating value of the original unit mole of methane supplied but is contained in a larger number of moles of syngas (N). 

An oil of a heating value of about 35,200 BTU/kg can be obtained by reaction of wood waste for 1 hr with syngas, a catalyst, a temperature of 750°F, and a pressure of 5000 psi. The feasibility of the process has been tested in a pilot plant in Albany, Oregon, based on laboratory work conducted at the U.S. Bureau of Mines. So far, it has been determined that a barrel of oil equivalent to No. 6 bunker fuel can be produced from about 405 kg of wood chips.40... 

These reactions increase the heating value of the gas product, since methane has a high heat of combustion. However, these reactions are very slow except under high pressure and in the presence of a catalyst. Another source of the methane in the syngas is the pyrolysis process. Reaction R-4.11 is the reverse steam methane reforming reaction. All reactions that produce methane are exothermic reactions. 

Gasification of coal can produce synthesis gas (syngas) not only from coals having a wide range of heat values but also from low-value carbon feedstocks such as petroleum coke, high-sulfur fuel oil, municipal wastes, and biomass. This flexibility increases the economic value of these resources and lowers costs by providing industry with a broader range of feedstock options. 

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