AN

ASSIGNMENT

ON

BIO-SYNGAS

BY

OLAIYA, OLUWATOBI AJIBOLA

DEPARMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITY OF ABUJA (UNIABUJA)
FCT-NIGERIA

SUBMITTED TO

DR. MRS DABAI

DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINNERING
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITY OF ABUJA (UNIABUJA)
FCT-NIGERIA

MARCH, 2023
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Reaction Involved
Thermodynamics of the reaction
Operating Temperature & Pressure
Optimal Conditions
Catalyst
Phases
Heat and Mass Transfer Limitation
Fundamental of Gas and Liquid Recycle
Purification Of Feed
Safety, Environmental & Economical Issues
Conclusion
References

INTRODUCTION
 Bio-syngas, also known as biomass-syngas or synthesis gas,
is a gas mixture composed primarily of carbon monoxide (CO),
hydrogen (H2) and carbon dioxide (CO2), along with traces gases.
Bio-syngas is produced through the gasification of organic
materials such as agricultural residues, forest waste, municipal
solid waste, and energy crops.
The gasification process involves heating the biomass to
high temperature in the presence of a limited amount of oxygen
or steam. The resulting gas mixture can be used as a fuel for
electricity generation or as a feedstock for the production of chemical
and fuels.
Bio-syngas has several advantages over traditional fossil
fuels (coal, natural gas and oil). First, it is a renewable and
sustainable source of energy, as a biomass can be grown and
harvested indefinitely. Second, it has a lower carbon footprint
than fossil fuel, as the carbon dioxide released during combustion
is offset by the carbon dioxide absorbed during the growth of the
biomass. Finally, bio-syngas can be produced locally, reducing
dependence on imported fossil fuels and promoting local economic
development.
However, the production of bio-syngas is still in the early
stages of development and faces several challenges, including
high capital costs, variability in the quality of biomass feedstock
and the need for more efficient gasification technologies. Despite
these challenges, bio-syngas has the potential to play a
significant role in the transition to a low-carbon sustainable
energy system.

REACTION INVOLVED
Bio- syngas is produced through gasification which involves
a complex series of chemical reactions. The main reaction
involves the partial combustion of biomass with a limited supply
of oxygen, which produces a mixture of gases, including carbon
monoxide (CO), hydrogen (H2), carbon dioxide (CO2), methane
(CH4), and other trace of gases.
Since hydrogenation is a process that involves the addition of
hydrogen to a compound or mixture. In the case of bio-syngas
production, hydrogenation can be used to upgrade the quality of
the gas mixture by removing impurities such as carbon monoxide
and sulfur compounds.
One method of producing bio-syngas involving hydrogenation is
through the use of a water-gas shift reaction followed by a
methanation reaction. The water-gas shift reaction involves the
reaction of carbon monoxide with water vapor to produce carbon
dioxide and hydrogen gas. The methanation reaction involves the
reaction of carbon dioxide and hydrogen gas to produce methane.

THERMODYNAMICS OF THE REACTION

Gasification is a process in which a solid or liquid fuel is
converted into a gas by reacting it with a gasifying agent,
typically air, oxygen, or steam. The thermodynamics of
gasification refers to the energy changes and equilibrium
condition that occur during the gasification process.
Gasification process is an endothermic reaction, meaning it
requires energy to proceed. The energy required to gasify a fuel
can be supplied by external sources, such as heat or electricity or
by using fuel itself as a source of heat. The gasification process
can be represented by the following simplified reaction;
C+ H 2 O →CO + H 2

The reaction shows the gasification of carbon (C) with steam

(H2O) to produce carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen (H).
The thermodynamics of gasification can be described by
thermodynamic principles such as the Gibbs free energy,
enthalpy and entropy. The Gibbs free energy change of the
gasification process can be calculated using the following
equation:
∆ G=∆ H−T ∆ S

Where ∆ G is the change in Gibbs free energy, ∆ H is the change in

enthalpy, T is the temperature and ∆ S is change in entropy.
For the gasification process to be spontaneous (i.e., proceed
without external energy input), ∆ G must be negative. The
enthalpy change ∆ H and entropy change ∆ S of the gasification
process depend on the specific fuel being gasified and the
gasifying agent used. In general, gasification with steam
produces a higher hydrogen yield and lower carbon monoxide
yield than gasification with air or oxygen.
The equilibrium condition of the gasification process also depends
on the specific fuel and gasifying agent. The equilibrium composition
of the gas produced during gasification can be calculated using
thermodynamic equilibrium models, which consider the Gibbs free
energy of the reactants and products at the reaction temperature
and pressure. These models can be used to optimize gasification
processes and predicts gas composition under different
conditions.

OPERATING TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE

The operating temperature and pressure of bio-syngas can
vary depending on the specific process used to produce it and the
intended application.
The operating temperature of a biomass gasifier typically ranges
from 700°C to 1200°C, depending on the type of gasifier and the
feedstock being used. The pressure in the gasifier is usually
atmospheric or slightly above atmospheric.
After gasification, the bio-syngas may be cleaned and conditioned
to remove impurities and adjust its composition for specific
applications. The temperature and pressure at this level may vary
depending on the specific process used.

OPTIMAL CONDITIONS
The optimal conditions include;
1. Temperature: Temperature from 700°C to 1200°C. The
optimal temperature depends on the type of feedstock used
and desired quantity of syngas. Higher temperatures result
in higher quality syngas but requires more energy to
maintain.
2. Pressure: Gasification is typically performed at atmospheric
pressure, but higher pressures can be used to increase the
efficiency of the process but requires more energy and
expensive equipment.
3. Residence time: This refers to the time the feedstock is
exposed to gasification conditions. The optimal residence
time depends on the type of the feedstock and desired
quality of syngas. The longer the residence time the higher
the quality of the syngas, it results in more char and tar
formation.
4. Oxygen or air supply: The supply of oxygen or air in the
gasifier is critical for controlling the gasification process.
Insufficient oxygen can result in incomplete conversion of
the feedstock while excessive oxygen result in the
combustion of the feedstock.
5. Feedstock composition: The composition of the feedstock
has a significant impact on the optimal condition. The
 optimal condition for gasifying biomass is different from coal
or municipal solid waste.

CATALYST
Catalyst is not always required in the production of bio-
syngas, but they can be used to improve the efficiency and
selectivity of the process. In some cases, catalyst can also help to
reduce the temperature and pressure required for gasification.
There are various types of catalyst that can be used in the
production of bio-syngas, depending on the specific feedstock and
gasification condition. Some examples of catalyst used in the
production bio-syngas includes:
1. Nickel catalyst: There are commonly used in steam
reforming and partial oxidation gasification process and can
improve the production of hydrogen and carbon monoxide.
2. Iron catalyst: Used in gasification process that involves
the mixture of oxygen and steam and can improve the
convection of biomass to syngas.
3. Cobalt catalyst: Used in high temperature gasification
processes to promote the water-shift reaction, which covert
carbon monoxide and water to carbon dioxide and
hydrogen.
The catalyst used can be either heterogenous or homogenous,
depending on the specific gasification process and desired end
product.
The stability of the catalyst used vary depending on the
specific type of catalyst and the condition under which it is used.

PHASES
The production of bio-syngas involves four phases;
1. Drying phase: The moisture content of the biomass
material is reduced through the application of heat. This is to
prevent excessive water from interfering with the
gasification process
2. Pyrolysis phase: The biomass is heated in a low oxygen
environment to break down the complex organic molecules
into simpler compounds. This produces a solid residue
known as biochar, liquid called bio-oil and syngas.
3. Gasification phase: Involves the conversion of the
intermediate products from the pyrolysis phase into syngas
by introducing a limited amount of oxygen or steam into the
gasification chamber.
4. Gas cleaning phase: This final phase involves the removal
of impurities from the syngas such as tar, to improve its
quality and make it suitable for use a s fuel. This can be
obtained by passing gas through filters.

HEAT AND MASS TRANSFER LIMITATION

The production of bio-syngas using hydrogenation involves
the conversion of biomass feedstock into a gas mixture consisting
mainly of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. This
process can be limited by heat and mass transfer limitations.
Heat transfer limitation can arise dure to the exothermic nature
of the hydrogenation reaction, which can cause local hot spots
and temperature gradient in the reactor.
Mass transfer limitation also occur during the hydrogenation
process where the biomass feedstock has a high moisture content
which act as a heat sink and reduce overall temperature of the
reaction there by limiting the rate of hydrogenation.
Overall, the heat and mass transfer limitation for production of
bio-syngas using hydrogenation depends on the biomass
feedstock, reactor design and operating condition of the process.

FUNDAMENTAL OF GAS AND LIQUID RECYCLE

Gas recycle may be necessary to maintain a consistent flow of
syngas and to increase the efficiency of the gasification process.
Liquid recycle may also be necessary in some cases, particularly if
the bio-syngas is being used to produce liquid fuels or chemicals.

PURIFICATION OF FEED
The necessity of purifying the feed depends on the specific
application and the quality of the bio-syngas.
Purifying the bio-syngas feed may be necessary to remove
impurities such as sulfur, tar and char which can poison the
catalyst or cause issues in downstream processes. And this
process involves hydrogenation.

SAFETY, ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMICAL ISSUES

 Safety issues associated are;

1. Toxicity: Carbon monoxide is highly toxic which is produced
during the gasification process. To ensure workers health
and the environment, proper monitoring is essential.
 2. Explosion: Bio-syngas is highly inflammable. The gas
mixture has to be stored in designed for high pressure gases.
3. Corrosion; it is highly corrosive; over time it damages
equipment in contact with. So, it has to be properly
maintained.
The safe production and use of bio-syngas is reactor design,
operation and maintenance of gasification system, safety
measures for handling and storing gas mixture.

 Environmental issues are;

1. Air Pollution: Bio-syngas combustion can emit nitrogen
oxide, carbon monoxide and particulate matter. Theses
pollutant have negative impact on the environment and
human health.
2. Greenhouse: Gas Emissions: Bio-syngas itself is a
potential carbon neutral energy source, the production
process can generate greenhouse emission.
3. Water Usage: the gasification process requires water for
cooling and cleaning the gas which can pose as a challenge
for water resource management.
4. Waste Generation: Gasification produces solid waste and
ash which has a negative impact on the environment.
5. Land Use: Biomass production requires large area of land
for production which could have a negative impact on
biodiversity.
It is important to ensure that bio-syngas production is conducted
in an environmentally sustainable way. Using suitable biomass
sources, optimizing the gasification process to reduce emissions
and proper waste management.

 Economic issues include;

1. Feedstock availability and cost: The availability and

cost of biomass feedstocks can vary depending on factors
such as location, season, and demand. To be economically
 viable, bio-syngas production requires a reliable and
affordable supply of biomass feedstocks.
2. Capital costs: The capital costs associated with building
and operating a bio-syngas production facility can be
significant. These costs include equipment, infrastructure,
and labor costs. The economics of bio-syngas production
depend on the scale of the operation, the efficiency of the
gasification process, and the cost of the feedstock.
3. Energy density: Bio-syngas has a lower energy density
than fossil fuels such as natural gas, which can impact its
economic viability. Bio-syngas may require more storage
and transportation infrastructure to deliver the same
amount of energy as fossil fuels, which can increase costs.
4. Market competition: The price and availability of fossil
fuels can impact the economic viability of bio-syngas as an
alternative energy source. If the price of fossil fuels
remains low, it may be difficult for bio-syngas to compete
in the market.
The economic viability of bio-syngas depends on several factors,
including the cost and availability of biomass feedstocks, capital
costs, energy density, and market competition. Advances in
technology and government policies to promote renewable energy
sources may make bio-syngas more economically viable in the
future.
CONCLUSION
Bio-syngas is a renewable and sustainable energy source
that has the potential to provide an alternative to fossil fuels. It is
produced through the gasification of biomass and consists mainly
of carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide.
Bio-syngas has several advantages, including its potential to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions, its ability to use a variety of
biomass feedstocks, and its potential to provide a distributed
energy source. However, there are also several challenges to the
widespread adoption of bio-syngas, including feedstock
availability and cost, capital costs, energy density, and market
competition.
The adoption of bio-syngas as an alternative energy source
will require a combination of technological advancements,
government policies, and market incentives to make it
economically viable and competitive with fossil fuels. With
continued innovation and investment, bio-syngas has the
potential to play a significant role in the transition to a more
sustainable and renewable energy future.
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