Gasify

Gasify is a thermo-chemical process that converts carbon-containing feedstocks into a combustible gas mixture, typically synthesis gas or syngas, by reacting the material with limited oxygen and/or steam at high temperature. The main components are hydrogen and carbon monoxide, with carbon dioxide and methane present in smaller amounts. Gasification differs from combustion (complete oxidation) and pyrolysis (decomposition without oxygen) by producing a usable gas stream for energy or chemistry.

Feedstocks and reactors. Common feedstocks include coal, biomass, municipal solid waste, and plastics. Gasifiers come in fixed-bed (updraft/downdraft), fluidized-bed, and entrained-flow designs. The process uses limited oxygen or steam to promote gasification reactions, producing syngas that is then cooled and cleaned to remove particulates, tars, sulfur compounds, and other contaminants.

Uses and products. Syngas is used for electricity generation in IGCC plants, hydrogen production, and as a feedstock for chemical synthesis (methanol, Fischer–Tropsch fuels). Gasification can also help convert waste into energy with reduced landfilling.

Environmental and technical considerations. Gasification can lower emissions relative to direct combustion, especially with carbon capture. Challenges include high capital cost, feedstock variability, tar formation with biomass, and the need for complex gas cleanup. Performance depends on feedstock quality and integration with downstream processes.

History and scope. Gasification has roots in 19th-century coal gas production and has evolved into modern IGCC and waste-to-energy systems, enabling flexible power and chemical production from diverse inputs. The term gasify denotes the act of converting material into gas.