[Gasification] A small literature review re: syngas

Luke Gardner lgardner at wwest.net
Wed Jan 26 14:59:04 CST 2011


kevin,
I posted earlier on this , its pretty tough to argue with a dictionary,  if this info is wrong please anyone call it out and site your source 
first below, you will see a definition of syn- that i pasted

notice that "syngas" is coincidentally used as an example of how the prefix syn can be properly used in our language,  syn in front of gas as one word means synthetic gas, not synthesis gas.

I could care less either way, I just like clarification. this seems very clear to me no matter how many peolpe are misusing this term.

second you will see a definition of synthetic that i pasted,  the list of synonyms made me chuckle.
pretty clear wood gas can be used as synthesis gas, but it is not synthetic gas.  See definitions below.

just wondering of all the better minds out there who agrees?  simple yea or nay would be nice to observe. i think for all.
luke

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

syn-
  a prefix occurring in loanwords from Greek, having the same function as co-  ( synthesis; synoptic ); used, with the meaning “with,” “together,” in the formation of compound words ( synsepalous ) or “synthetic” in such compounds ( syngas ). 
Use syn in a Sentence
See images of syn
Search syn on the Web
Also, sy-, syl-, sym-, sys-.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Origin: 
< Gk, comb. form repr. sýn  with, together with 
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

syn·thet·ic
   /sɪnˈθɛtɪk/  Show Spelled
[sin-thet-ik]  Show IPA
 
–adjective 
1. 
of, pertaining to, proceeding by, or involving synthesis ( opposed to analytic). 
2. 
noting or pertaining to compounds formed through a chemical process by human agency, as opposed to those of natural origin: synthetic vitamins; synthetic fiber. 
3. 
(of a language) characterized by a relatively widespread use of affixes, rather than separate words, to express syntactic relationships: Latin is a synthetic language, while English is analytic. Compare analytic ( def. 3 ) , polysynthetic ( def. 1 ) . 
4. 
Also, syn·thet·i·cal. Logic . of or pertaining to a noncontradictory proposition in which the predicate is not included in, or entailed by, the subject. 
5. 
not real or genuine; artificial; feigned: a synthetic chuckle at a poor joke. 
6. 
Jewelry . 
a. 
noting a gem mineral manufactured so as to be physically, chemically, and optically identical with the mineral as found in nature. 
b. 
(not in technical use) noting a gem mineral manufactured and pigmented in imitation of a natural gemstone of that name. 
–noun 
7. 
something made by a synthetic, or chemical, process. 
8. 
synthetics. 
a. 
substances or products made by chemical synthesis, as plastics or artificial fibers. 
b. 
the science or industry concerned with such products. 
Use synthetic in a Sentence
See images of synthetic
Search synthetic on the Web

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Origin: 
1690–1700;  < NL syntheticus  < Gk synthetikós,  equiv. to synthet ( ós ) placed together, verbid of syntithénai  to put together ( syn- syn-  + the-,  s. of tithénai  to put, place + -tos  verbid suffix) + -ikos -ic

—Related forms 
syn·thet·i·cal·ly, adverb 
non·syn·thet·ic, adjective 
non·syn·thet·i·cal, adjective 
non·syn·thet·i·cal·ly, adverb 
un·syn·thet·ic, adjective 
un·syn·thet·i·cal·ly, adverb 


—Synonyms 
5.  fake, phony, counterfeit, sham. 


Dictionary.com Unabridged 
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2011. 
Cite This Source 
| 
Link To synthetic 
Explore the Visual Thesaurus »
Related Words for : synthetic
man-made, semisynthetic, synthetical, celluloid
View more related words »


Custom Synthesis 

Discovery and Medicinal chemistry 
Inhibitors and screening cmpounds
 
www.hdhpharma.com 
Euroshield Rubber Roofing 

Recycled Eco-Friendly Roofing Replicates Slate, Shake, and Tile
 
Sponsored Results
www.euroshieldroofing.com 
World English Dictionary 
      synthetic  (sɪnˈθɛtɪk)  
        
      — adj  
      1.  (of a substance or material) made artificially by chemical reaction  
      2.  not genuine; insincere: synthetic compassion  
      3.  polysynthetic agglutinative Compare analytic denoting languages, such as Latin, whose morphology is characterized by synthesis  
      4.  philosophy  
        a. (of a proposition) having a truth-value that is not determined solely by virtue of the meanings of the words, as in all men are arrogant  
        b. a posteriori Compare empirical contingent  
        
      — n  
      5.  a synthetic substance or material  
        
      [C17: from New Latin syntheticus,  from Greek sunthetikos  expert in putting together, from suntithenai  to put together; see synthesis ]  
        
      syn'thetically  
        
      — adv  


Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition 
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins 
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009 
Cite This Source 
Word Origin & History 

synthetic 

1690s, as a term in logic, from Fr. synthétique  (17c.), from Mod.L. syntheticus , from Gk. synthetikos , from synthetos , pp. of syntithenai  (see synthesis). From 1874 in reference to products or materials made artificially by chemical synthesis; hence "artificial" (1930). 
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper 
Cite This Source 


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Gerald Kutney 
  To: 'Discussion of biomass pyrolysis and gasification' ; gasification at bioenergylists.org 
  Sent: Wednesday, January 26, 2011 11:28 AM
  Subject: Re: [Gasification] A small literature review re: syngas


  Kevin, I have always respected your knowledge in this area.  And your definitions are excellent.  Engine-grade gas is especially attractive.

   

  What I am actually seeking though is not to define any gas, because these terms have existed for decades and the literature should have defined them.  The early references that I have seen do not strictly define syngas in a very limited manner.  Others have felt so strongly on a limited definition that inflammatory statements have been made about organizations who claim to make “syngas”.  If we use the term to declare groups to be fraudulent, we should ensure that we are also using the terms correctly, as they were originally intended.  

   

  In the dispute over syngas, many references have used the term as a generic replacement for any manufactured gas well before members of this list for working in the field; that is any gasification process that produces hydrogen and carbon monoxide.  If members feel that this definition is incorrect, which it may be, then recognized early references to such should be provided.  

   

  Gerald

   

  From: gasification-bounces at lists.bioenergylists.org [mailto:gasification-bounces at lists.bioenergylists.org] On Behalf Of Kevin
  Sent: Wednesday, January 26, 2011 11:00 AM
  To: gasification at bioenergylists.org
  Subject: Re: [Gasification] A small literature review re: syngas

   

  Dear Gerald

   

  What would you think of the following proposed definitions?

   

  WOOD GAS: 

  Wood gas is a combustible gas produced by gasifying non-fossilized biomass with sufficient oxygen to leave little or no char. The biomass feed to a "Wood Gas Gasifier" could be woody biomass, agricultural wastes, or any other non-fossil biomass based material. The gas produced has a heating value in the range of about 125 to 150 BTU per Standard cubic foot. It may, or may not, contain significant quantities of tars. With adequately low tar content, it would be termed "Engine Grade Wood Gas", or if the tar content was too much for longer term use in an engine, it would be termed "Fuel Grade Wood Gas."

   

  PYROLYSIS GAS:

  Pyrolysis gas is the gas product produced when non-fossil biomass is either heated in a sealed retort, or, when it is "internally heated" through partial combustion of the pyrolysis gases. It has a high tar content, and a heating value in excess of 200 BTU per Standard Cubic foot.

   

  SYNTHESIS GAS, and "SYNGAS"

  Synthesis gas is any gas produced for the purpose of synthesizing a higher value product. Wood gas and Pyrolysis gas can be termed "Synthesis Gas" or "SYNGAS" if they are used to synthesize a higher value product. Any such gas that is burned as fuel to release its energy content as heat is not "Synthesis Gas" or "SYNGAS".

   

  How do those proposed definitions sound to you?

   

  Best wishes,

   

  Kevin Chisholm

   

     

     

    ---------- Forwarded message ----------
    From: Gerald Kutney <gkutney at shaw.ca>
    Date: Tue, Jan 25, 2011 at 17:59
    Subject: Re: [Gasification] A small literature review re: syngas
    To: Discussion of biomass pyrolysis and gasification <gasification at lists.bioenergylists.org>, gasification at bioenergylists.org


    I have followed the discussion on the definition of syngas (synthesis gas) with great interest.  Although there are adamant views that syngas should be narrowly defined, I have yet to see early references that back up this claim.  The term "synthesis gas" appears to have gained popularity during the '40's (possibly before) to describe the raw material for the FT process; however, it quickly became the popular term for manufactured gas.  In the second edition of the iconic Kirk-Othmer, Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, one is directed to the chapter on manufactured gas when looking for synthesis gas (see vol. 10, p. 355, 1966), where it is mentioned to produce synthetic chemicals from the water gas and water gas shift reactions.  In Riegel's, Industrial Chemistry, 1962, a list of synthesis gas methods are listed that mimic manufactured gas and includes gasification with air.  And on p. 892, synthesis gas is simply defined as the mixture of CO and H2.

    I respect the opinion of the members of this list, but could you supply early references to back up your definitions.  I believe that this is an important issue to be cleared up, as there is definite confusion on whether syngas should have a limited definition or a broad definition.


    Gerald Kutney, Ph.D.
    Managing Director
    Sixth Element Sustainable Management
    www.6esm.com



    -----Original Message-----
    From: gasification-bounces at lists.bioenergylists.org [mailto:gasification-bounces at lists.bioenergylists.org] On Behalf Of jim mason
    Sent: Wednesday, December 29, 2010 2:40 PM
    To: gasification at bioenergylists.org
    Subject: Re: [Gasification] A small literature review re: syngas

    On Wed, Dec 29, 2010 at 1:13 PM, Bear Kaufmann <bear at allpowerlabs.org> wrote:
    > I looked through some of the papers I have on hand, and extracted the
    > interesting parts as they relate to the latest discussion, FWIW:
    >
    > In short, the usage from the above doesn't appear entirely clear.
    > But in general, syngas is often suggested to have been upgraded, or of a
    > higher CO/H2/energy content. Syngas is often used to refer to gas intended
    > to be used for synthesis of products. Syngas does also seem to be used as
    > general term in some cases.
    >


    bear, in reading through your 6 examples here, i find 4 of them use
    the term "syngas" in some flavor of a general term for the gas
    produced through some form of biomass thermal conversion.  its
    relationship to synthesis processes and no/low nitrogen gas is also
    there of course.  but the prevalence of the "generic" usage is
    surprising.  i'm surprised to see even some major names in
    pyrolysis/biochar are using it to name the gas from pyrolysis.

    given this over majority leaning towards the generic use, why do you
    summarize the state of affairs by affirming the more "traditional"
    senses of the term?  it seems the numbers are leaning in the other
    direction.  of course your sample is anecdotal, so putting numbers to
    the resulting statistics is suspect.  but still, the emphasis in your
    conclusion i do not see in the sample.  btw, how did you generate this
    sample?

    when we started this disucssion, my guess was that the generic usage
    of the term was maybe a 10-20% phenomenon.  examples are piling up
    that it is actually much higher than this.  it seems even higher in
    the academic world than in our local online circle.

    j






    >
    > "Fuel gas can be used directly as fuel in gas burners or internal combustion
    > engines and gas turbines. Fuel gas, after purification and possibly water
    > gas shift to adjust the H2/CO ratio, can be described as a syngas (a mixture
    > of H2 and CO), which can be used to manufacture methanol, ammonia, Fischer
    > Tropsch liquids, or hydrogen for use in fuel cells (4). The suitability for
    > a particular usage, i.e. the fuel gas quality, is determined by the gas
    > composition and the level of contamination by particulates, alkali
    > compounds, nitrogen-containing components, sulphur and tars (5)."
    > from Kalisz, S. et al. Energy Balance of High Temperature Air/Steam
    > Gasification of Biomass in Up-Draft, Fixed-Bed Type Gasifier. Int. Conf. on
    > Incineration and Thermal Treatment Technologies, Phoenix, Arizona (2004).at
    > <http://gasunie.eldoc.ub.rug.nl/FILES/root/2004/3265200/3265200.pdf>
    >
    > "Fast pyrolyzers rapidly (∼1 s) heat dry biomass (10% H2O) to ∼500°C and
    > thereby thermally transform biomass into bio-oil (∼60% of mass), syngas
    > (∼20% of mass), and charcoal (∼20% of mass). The energy required to operate
    > a fast pyrolyzer is ∼15% of the total energy that can be derived from the
    > dry biomass. Modern systems are designed to use the syngas generated by the
    > pyro- lyzer to provide all the energy needs of the pyrolyzer."
    > from Laird, D.A. The Charcoal Vision: A Win Win Win Scenario for
    > Simultaneously Producing Bioenergy, Permanently Sequestering Carbon, while
    > Improving Soil and Water Quality. Agron J 100, 178-181(2008).
    >
    > "To improve the thermal efficiency and predict the composition of syngas,
    > several numeric models have been developed for biomass conversion systems."
    > from Rogel, A. & Aguillón, J. The 2D Eulerian Approach of Entrained Flow and
    > Temperature in a Biomass Stratified Downdraft Gasifier. American Journal of
    > Applied Sciences 3, 2068-2075(2006).
    > Comments: Shows a stratified downdraft model with inputs of air and biomass,
    > outputs of syngas and ashes
    >
    > "The term ‘pyrolysis’ is typically used either for ...[analytical
    > purposes]... or for bioenergy systems that capture the off-gases emitted
    > during charring and used to produce hydrogen, syngas, bio-oils, heat or
    > electricity (Bridgwater et al, 1999)."
    > from Lehmann, J. & Joseph, S. Biochar for environmental management: science
    > and technology. (Earthscan/James & James: 2009).
    >
    > "High purity syngas (i.e. low quantities of inerts such as N2) is extremely
    > beneficial for fuels and chemicals synthesis since it substantially reduces
    > the size and cost of downstream equipment. However, the guidelines provided
    > in Table 5 should not be interpreted as stringent requirements. "
    > "There is more latitude with regard to syngas composition for engine
    > combustion than for turbine combustion."
    > "To be considered interchangeable with conventional fossil fuels (natural
    > gas or distillate oils) and to ensure maximum flexibility for industrial or
    > utility applications, syngas heating value needs to be above 11 MJ/m3"
    > "At temperatures greater than 1200-1300oC, little or no methane, higher
    > hydrocarbons or tar is formed, and H2 and CO production is maximized without
    > requiring a further conversion step."
    > "Biomass gasification is the conversion of an organic...carbonaceous
    > feedstock by partial oxidation into a gaseous product, synthesis gas or
    > “syngas,” consisting primarily of [H2 and CO] with lesser amounts of [CO2,
    > CH4], higher hydrocarbons (C2+), and nitrogen (N2). The reactions are
    > carried out at elevated temperatures, 500-1400oC, and atmospheric or
    > elevated pressures up to 33 bar (480 psia). The oxidant used can be air,
    > pure oxygen, steam or a mixture of these gases. Air-based gasifiers
    > typically produce a product gas containing a relatively high concentration
    > of nitrogen with a low heating value between 4 and 6 MJ/m3 (107-161
    > Btu/ft3). Oxygen and steam-based gasifiers produce a product gas containing
    > a relatively high concentration of hydrogen and CO with a heating value
    > between 10 and 20 MJ/m3 (268-537 Btu/ft3)."
    > "Table 8. Compositions of Biomass-Derived Syngas" - includes N2 from 0-56%,
    > H2 from 5-43.3%, CO from 9-67%, CO2 from 4-40%
    > ...
    > from Ciferno, J.P. & Marano, J.J. Benchmarking biomass gasification
    > technologies for fuels, chemicals and hydrogen production. US Dep of Energy
    > NETL (2002).at
    > <http://seca.doe.gov/technologies/coalpower/gasification/pubs/pdf/BMassGasFinal.pdf>
    >
    > "The resulting fuel is a producer gas (a synthesis gas or syngas) that
    > consists primarily of varying ratios of hydrogen and carbon monoxide (CO)."
    > from Mukhtar, S. Manure to Energy: Understanding Processes, Principles and
    > Jargon. (2006).at
    > <http://repository.tamu.edu/bitstream/handle/1969.1/87462/pdf_2425.pdf?sequence=1>
    >
    > In short, the usage from the above doesn't appear entirely clear.
    > But in general, syngas is often suggested to have been upgraded, or of a
    > higher CO/H2/energy content. Syngas is often used to refer to gas intended
    > to be used for synthesis of products. Syngas does also seem to be used as
    > general term in some cases.
    >
    > My preferred usage has been to call the gas the air-blown GEK makes
    > "producer gas". Wood gas notes that the carbon source was biomass, though I
    > don't prefer the term. "Syngas" being made with O2 or steam.
    > The problem with the above is it doesn't leave a general catch-all term.
    >
    > Cheers,
    > Bear Kaufmann
    > All Power Labs
    >
    > _______________________________________________
    > The Gasification list has moved to
    > gasification at bioenerglists.org - please update your email contacts to
    > reflect the change.
    > Please visit http://info.bioenergylists.org for more news on the list move.
    > Thank you,
    > Gasification Administrator



    --
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Jim Mason
    Website: http://www.whatiamupto.com
    Current Projects:
      - Gasifier Experimenters Kit (the GEK): http://www.gekgasifier.com
      - Escape from Berkeley alt fuels vehicle race: www.escapefromberkeley.com
      - ALL Power Labs on Twitter: http://twitter.com/allpowerlabs
      - Shipyard Announce list:
    http://lists.spaceship.com/listinfo.cgi/icp-spaceship.com

    _______________________________________________
    Gasification mailing list

    to Send a Message to the list, use the email address
    Gasification at bioenergylists.org

    to UNSUBSCRIBE or Change your List Settings use the web page
    http://lists.bioenergylists.org/mailman/listinfo/gasification_lists.bioenergylists.org

    for more Gasifiers,  News and Information see our web site:
    http://gasifiers.bioenergylists.org/


    _______________________________________________
    Gasification mailing list

    to Send a Message to the list, use the email address
    Gasification at bioenergylists.org

    to UNSUBSCRIBE or Change your List Settings use the web page
    http://lists.bioenergylists.org/mailman/listinfo/gasification_lists.bioenergylists.org

    for more Gasifiers,  News and Information see our web site:
    http://gasifiers.bioenergylists.org/




    -- 
    - Daniel
    Fredericton, NB  Canada

     


----------------------------------------------------------------------------


----------------------------------------------------------------------------

    No virus found in this message.
    Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
    Version: 10.0.1202 / Virus Database: 1435/3402 - Release Date: 01/25/11



------------------------------------------------------------------------------


  _______________________________________________
  Gasification mailing list

  to Send a Message to the list, use the email address
  Gasification at bioenergylists.org

  to UNSUBSCRIBE or Change your List Settings use the web page
  http://lists.bioenergylists.org/mailman/listinfo/gasification_lists.bioenergylists.org

  for more Gasifiers,  News and Information see our web site:
  http://gasifiers.bioenergylists.org/
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.bioenergylists.org/pipermail/gasification_lists.bioenergylists.org/attachments/20110126/7aa2cf1e/attachment.html>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: thinsp.png
Type: image/png
Size: 137 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://lists.bioenergylists.org/pipermail/gasification_lists.bioenergylists.org/attachments/20110126/7aa2cf1e/attachment.png>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif
Type: image/gif
Size: 236 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://lists.bioenergylists.org/pipermail/gasification_lists.bioenergylists.org/attachments/20110126/7aa2cf1e/attachment.gif>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: synthetic.gif
Type: image/gif
Size: 3750 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://lists.bioenergylists.org/pipermail/gasification_lists.bioenergylists.org/attachments/20110126/7aa2cf1e/attachment-0001.gif>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: new.png
Type: image/png
Size: 433 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://lists.bioenergylists.org/pipermail/gasification_lists.bioenergylists.org/attachments/20110126/7aa2cf1e/attachment-0001.png>


More information about the Gasification mailing list