Gasification Defined

Gasification is the conversion of a carbonaceous material at elevated temperature in an oxygen deficient atmosphere into its basic components. The desired useful components are primarily carbon monoxide and hydrogen, known as “synthesis gas” or “syngas”; lesser amounts of carbon dioxide, water, and (depending upon the reaction conditions) other constituents are also produced. The gasifier syngas can be scrubbed to very low levels of non-syngas components, and then used by industries to make products, besides electricity, as shown below: