Syngas synthetic fuels

Partial oxidation of coal to form either synthetic fuel, syngas, or synthetic natural gas represents a potential use of oxygen (see Fuels, synthetic). 

Table 2.7 provides the criteria applied in matching various technologies to applications. Note that for completeness, Table 2.7 includes the desirable syngas characteristics for synthetic fuels. 

In the next section, we describe the major applications of syngas production of hydrogen, methanol, and synthetic fuels, with emphasis on the latter. 

Syngas to Synthetic Fuels The Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis... 

Coal gasification, which is used intensively in parts of the world, is also based on partial oxidation. Often the hydrogen is, however, not separated from the syngas, e.g. in the production of synthetic fuels. Coal gasification plays a role as a sub-process especially for the so called Pre-Combustion CO2 Capture . 

Another actual pyrolysis-based biorefinery concept is the Bioliq process that was developed at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT).Bioliq aims at the production of synthetic fuels such as Fischer-Tropsch diesel and chemicals from biomass. Synthesis based on synthesis gas requires pressures of up to 10 MPa. High-pressure entrained flow gasification provides high-quality tar-free syngas with low methane contents. 

The study of biofuels and synthetic fuels is an interdisciplinary science that focuses on development of clean, renewable fuels that can be used as alternatives to fossil fuels. Biofuels include ethanol, biodiesel, methane, biogas, and hydrogen synthetic fuels include syngas and synfuel. These fuels can be used as gasoline and diesel substitutes for transportation, as fuels for electric generators to produce electricity, and as fuels to heat houses (their traditional use). Both governmental agencies and private companies have invested heavily in research in this area of applied science. 

Synthesis Gas Synthetic fuel that is a mixture of carbon monoxide and also known as syngas. 

Coal gasification is the chemical and physical process of converting coal into coal gas, a type of synthesis gas (syngas) that is composed of varying amounts of carhon monoxide and hydrogen gas. The syngas is subsequently used as fuel for power generation or as feedstock in chemical processes such as the production of synthetic fuels and production of fertilizers. 

Some 40% of the world s natural gas production is used by industry for heating and to a small extent for the production of syngas as the basis for chemicals like ammonia or methanol or for synthetic fuels like diesel oil (DOE, 2005). Compressed natural gas is used as an alternative to other automobile fuels. In 2003, the countries with the largest number of natural gas vehicles were Argentina, Brazil, Pakistan, Italy, and India. 

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