Syngas

Syngas is a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Its name is an abbreviated form of "synthesis gas." Syngas can be derived from biomass using a process involving heat, steam, and oxygen, or it can be created from coal. Syngas can be used like natural gas, as a source of hydrogen for fuel cells, or reformed into other hydrocarbon fuels. It is considered an alternative to conventional fuels in all its applications.

Synthetic gasoline, diesel, methanol, and other transportation fuels can be produced from syngas. One catalytic conversion process was first developed in Germany in the 1920s and produces a wide range of hydrocarbons, alcohols, and other substances. Most of the hydrocarbons are components of gasoline and diesel. The other way to derive gasoline and diesel from syngas is to first convert the gas to methanol, and then into the conventional fuels.