Catalysis and Chemical Engineering Global Conference

Catalysis plays a central role in the production and use of syngas, or synthesis gas, which is a mixture of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and sometimes carbon dioxide. From this perspective, syngas can be seen as an intermediate for producing a significant variety of value-added products, such as fuels, chemicals, and hydrogen. This session focuses on the role catalysis in syngas production and conversion plays to make production more sustainable, respectful toward energy solutions, and tailoring developing a circular economy. Syngas is typically generated by gasification or reforming processes that convert feedstocks of carbon-based including coal, natural gas, biomass, as well as other wastes into a fluid mixture of gases. Catalysts are critical to such improvements in reaction rates, selectivity, and milder operating conditions in these processes. In the massive production of hydrogen, a proper example is the steam methane reforming (SMR), which uses metal-based catalysts including nickel to efficiently break down methane and steam into hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Further processing with catalytic methods of syngas can produce any number of fuels and chemicals. Syngas can even be converted through Fischer-Tropsch synthesis into liquid hydrocarbons that may be refined into diesel, jet fuel, and many others. This process utilizes iron or cobalt-based catalysts to convert syngas into long-chain hydrocarbons. The process is thus environmentally friendly and a viable means for synthesis of fuel from carbon feedstock. Like syngas, methanol synthesis from syngas uses copper-based catalysts, where copper enables methanol formation-a crucial chemical intermediate for production of numerous products as well as an additional fuel. Catalysis also allows syngas to be in favor of carbon capture and utilization efforts. With the use of carbon dioxide as a feedstock source, industries can lessen gas emissions while creating products with value. Dry reforming of methane, a reaction involving the reaction of methane with CO₂ to form syngas, is merely utilizing waste gases and supports sustainability targets. The catalysts are continually being developed to enhance efficiency and stability and resistance to deactivation, giving credence to syngas as a potentially viable way towards realizing a greener energy future. Catalytic Process Advances in Syngas Production and Conversion Catalytic processes for syngas production and conversion systems, including catalyst design, reaction mechanisms, and industrial applications, will be covered. This includes challenges and opportunities in syngas catalysis-from catalyst stability to carbon efficiency and integration into renewable energy systems.Catalysis plays a central role in the production and use of syngas, or synthesis gas, which is a mixture of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and sometimes carbon dioxide. Syngas can be seen as an intermediate for producing a wide variety of value-added products, such as fuels, chemicals, and hydrogen. This session focuses on the role of catalysis in syngas production and conversion, emphasizing its contributions to making production more sustainable, energy-efficient, and supportive of a circular economy.

Syngas is typically generated through gasification or reforming processes that convert carbon-based feedstocks, including coal, natural gas, biomass, and other wastes, into a fluid mixture of gases. Catalysts play a crucial role in improving reaction rates, selectivity, and operating conditions in these processes. In hydrogen production, steam methane reforming (SMR) is a prime example, where metal-based catalysts like nickel efficiently break down methane and steam into hydrogen and carbon monoxide.

Further processing of syngas with catalytic methods can produce a variety of fuels and chemicals. For instance, Fischer-Tropsch synthesis converts syngas into liquid hydrocarbons that can be refined into diesel, jet fuel, and other products, using iron or cobalt-based catalysts to transform syngas into long-chain hydrocarbons. This process is considered environmentally friendly and offers a viable means of synthesizing fuel from carbon feedstock.

Similarly, syngas can be converted into methanol using copper-based catalysts. Copper facilitates methanol formation, making it a crucial chemical intermediate for numerous products and an additional fuel source. Catalysis also supports carbon capture and utilization by using carbon dioxide as a feedstock, helping industries reduce emissions while producing valuable products. Dry reforming of methane, which involves methane reacting with CO₂ to form syngas, effectively utilizes waste gases and aligns with sustainability targets.

The ongoing development of catalysts aims to enhance efficiency, stability, and resistance to deactivation, making syngas a promising pathway toward a greener energy future.