Circular syngas with biomass and plastic waste gasification Solid and liquid gasification has the potential to unlock and convert advantaged feeds into high-value, bio-based and circular fuels, chemicals, and plastics
Harold Boerrigter and Sven Felske Shell Catalysts & Technologies
A s the energy transition gathers pace, more and more refiners and chemical manufacturers are evaluating the benefits of upgrading existing gasification units to produce lower-carbon and more circular products. Gasification of hydrocarbon feedstocks to generate syngas and related products is a well-established process. However, with new advancements in pre-conversion technologies – capable of processing more complex materials like mixed plastics, biomass, and unsorted waste streams – gasification has the potential to become a key technology for producing lower-carbon synthetic biofuels and enhancing plastic circularity. Crucially, revamping gasification units to accept pre-converted biomass and waste streams can be done quickly and cost-effectively.
Energy transition: The case for change The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s (UNFCCC) recent stocktake on global climate action made it clear that the world is behind where it needs to be in efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Indeed, recent estimates suggest that the global carbon budget to limit global warming to 1.5°C has shrunk to just 275 MtCO₂ – less than seven years of carbon emissions at current rates. With fossil-based transport fuels contributing about 20% of global carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, there is a growing imperative to switch to lower- and zero-carbon fuels. For example, the EU’s ReFuelEU aviation initiative mandates a progressive increase in the use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and synthetic aviation fuels. By 2035, aviation fuel supplied at EU airports must contain at least 20% SAF – a 900% increase compared to 2025 requirements.
Natural gas and o -gases, RNG
Feedstock (after pre-conversion)
Aviation and transportation fuels
Fischer-Tropsch
Clean syngas (CO + H )
H , ammonia, methanol, oxo-alcohols
Re neries’ liquid residue and biomass pyrolysis oil
Chemicals
Gasi cation and gas treating
Renewable natural gas
Methanation
Liqui ed waste plastic
Steam and electricity
Power generation
Oxygen and steam
Biomass
Municipal waste 60–70% biomass
Carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS)
CO
Greenhouses, industry and storage
Sulphur
RNG = renewable natural gas
Figure 1 Gasification can produce low-carbon-intensity syngas for conversion into a wide range of lower-carbon and more circular products
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