Emerging technologies for low-CI syngas: Part 2 Part 2 focuses on six new pathways for low-carbon intensity syngas to provide a complete overview of syngas value chain technology
T his article is a sequel to Part 1, which March 2026 issue of Refining India magazine. Part 2 b riefly discusses two emerging low- carbon footprint technologies for carbon dioxide (CO 2) conversion to CO, exclusively utilising CO 2 and renewable power: CO 2 electrolysis and plasma CO 2 conversion. These technologies provide a platform for the production of low- carbon intensity (CI) syngas by simply mixing product carbon monoxide ( CO) with green hydrogen (H 2) . Additionally, two recent technologies are explored for direct catalytic hydrogenation of CO 2 into long-chain hydrocarbons (syncrude). This syncrude serves as an intermediate product outlined four emerging technologies for low-CI syngas pathways, published in the in the production of synthetic fuels through Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis. A single-step low-temperature (LT) co-electrolysis of CO2 into methanol, completely bypassing the syngas step, is also examined. Also, two very recent technologies based on an integrated gas-phase direct air carbon capture and utilisation (DACCU) flow reactor and a thermochemical electrified Tri-Converter are outlined. The former captures CO 2 from the air, concentrates it, and converts it into syngas using sunlight. The latter reforms mixtures containing CO₂, methane (CH₄), CO, and H₂ into syngas using a proprietary catalyst and renewable electricity. Lastly, details of a two-step chemical looping redox concept for producing syngas from the dry reforming of CH 4 and CO₂ are provided. These ten pathways complete the syngas value chain technology overview. Most, if not Ajay Misra Sr. Consultant (Fertilizers & Petrochemicals)
all, of these emerging technologies are currently at varying stages of ‘work-in-progress’, many having been initiated and pursued by start- up innovators and/or research institutions. The successful run of proof-of-concept and lab-/pilot-/demo-scale projects marks a major milestone in advancing efforts towards the commercial-scale production of low-CI syngas through fundamentally robust but technically challenging pathways. CO 2 electrolysis It is important to clarify the distinction between co-electrolysis and CO 2 electrolysis, as they are often confused. The key difference lies in the “ CO 2 electrolysis is the electrochemical reduction of CO 2 into CO, whereas co-electrolysis of CO 2 and water together achieves a more comprehensive conversion into a valuable syngas product ” reactants involved and the products generated. While co-electrolysis simultaneously electrolyses both CO 2 and H 2 O to produce syngas (CO + H 2), CO 2 electrolysis specifically targets the reduction of CO 2 to CO using renewable power. CO 2 electrolysis is the electrochemical reduction of CO 2 into CO, whereas co- electrolysis of CO 2 and water together achieves a more comprehensive conversion into a valuable syngas product. While different types of electrolysers, including solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC), proton exchange membrane (PEM), and liquid
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