Synthesis gas from agricultural feedstock – a review of possible technical pathways

About the project

Syngas, or synthesis gas, is a fuel gas mixture consisting of carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen (H2) in different proportions. In some cases, carbon dioxide (CO2) is also included in the mix. Syngas is an important feedstock when producing ammonia, methanol and many other chemical products, but also gaseous biofuels (e.g. substitute natural gas (SNG) and hydrogen) and liquid biofuels (e.g. Fischer-Tropsch diesel and dimethyl ether, DME). Syngas can also be used in turbines for efficient production of electricity and heat.

Much attention has been given to the possibility of thermal gasification of forest products, but there are other alternatives for syngas production. This report reviews the possibilities of converting agricultural feedstock (crops, manure, residues etc.) to syngas via (1) upgrading of biogas from anaerobic digestion and (2) thermochemical conversion. The focus of the review is on technical conversion systems rather than feedstock and it is based on existing literature, but a rough energy analysis, examining some of the energy inputs and outputs to the system, is also presented.