What is gasification?

Gasification is a thermochemical process that converts carbon-rich materials, such as coal, biomass, and municipal waste, into a combustible gas known as synthesis gas (syngas). This process occurs at high temperatures (typically between 700–1500°C) in a low-oxygen environment, which prevents complete combustion and instead breaks down complex molecules into simpler gases. The resulting syngas primarily consists of hydrogen (H₂), carbon monoxide (CO), and smaller amounts of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄).

What is the gasification process?

The gasification process generally involves four key stages:

1. Drying: Moisture is removed from the feedstock.
2. Pyrolysis: The material decomposes into volatile gases, char, and tar.
3. Oxidation: A controlled amount of oxygen or air is added, generating heat and partial combustion.
4. Reduction: Chemical reactions occur to produce syngas.

What is gasification used for?

Gasification has a wide range of industrial and energy applications, including:

Power Generation: Syngas can be used in gas turbines or engines to generate electricity more efficiently than conventional coal-fired power plants.

Hydrogen Production: Syngas serves as a crucial source of hydrogen, which is essential for fuel cells, ammonia production, and refining processes.

Synthetic Fuels & Chemicals: Gasification enables the creation of liquid fuels (such as diesel and methanol) through Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and supports the chemical industry in producing fertilizers, solvents, and plastics.

Waste-to-Energy (WTE): Municipal solid waste and biomass can be gasified to produce energy, minimizing landfill use and offering a sustainable energy source.

Carbon Capture & Utilization (CCU): Gasification can be paired with carbon capture technologies to lower greenhouse gas emissions and produce cleaner energy.

What is the role of Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) technology in gasification?

In gasification, Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) plays a vital role by enabling the separation and purification of gases. PSA functions by selectively adsorbing specific gases at high pressures onto solid adsorbents such as activated carbon or zeolites, and then releasing them at lower pressures.

For more information on read our article Understanding PSA Technology for gas upgrading

How can PSA technology be used for syngas separation and purification?

Here are a few examples of how PSA technology can be used

• Hydrogen Purification: PSA effectively extracts and purifies hydrogen from syngas, making it suitable for fuel cells, ammonia production, and refining.
• Carbon Capture: PSA helps remove CO₂ from syngas, contributing to cleaner energy production and enabling carbon capture and utilization (CCU).
• Syngas Upgrading: By selectively eliminating impurities such as nitrogen, methane, and carbon monoxide, PSA enhances syngas quality for industrial applications.

Enabling a Circular Economy

Waste to Value

Syngas upgrading and purification with Fast Cycle, Rotary Valve PSA systems from Ivys