Pyrolysis process for syngas production

With the new power dynamics and race on becoming hydrogen economy and focus on having a good energy mix to reach net-zero emissions, syngas has seen a strong potential feedstock. The current emission-intensive methods of producing syngas and then to hydrogen and other chemicals, alternative pathways of producing syngas have been explored and compared in terms of energy needed to produce it, emission intensity, and ease of feedstock availability. Biomass has been seen as a solid candidate to produce syngas, and the pyrolysis process has gained significant attention. Biomass pyrolysis is an advanced thermochemical conversion process for the conversion of biomass in the absence of oxidizing agents into syngas, biochar, and condensable vapors. The yield of syngas production is controlled by operating conditions such as temperature, the residence time of solids/gas, the reactor technology used, and whether a catalyst is used. This chapter condenses the relevant information to select the process parameters and resources to produce a robust building block feedstock for reforming the next-in-line generation fuel.