Production of high-value products including gasoline hydrocarbons from the thermochemical conversion of syngas

This article reviews subjects dealing with the chemistry, catalytic poisoning, newer catalyst technologies and possible future solutions to increase the efficiency of creating high-value products by thermochemically converting gasified biomass (producer gas). This article puts emphasis on bi-functional catalysts containing transition metals coupled with zeolites for renewable-fuel production. High-value products such as gasoline-range hydrocarbons, dimethyl ether, aldehydes, isobutane, isobutene and other olefins can be produced with gasified biomass due to the gas containing syngas (H 2 + CO). The chemistry and production of these chemicals are discussed in this article. The importance of certain process variables, such as temperature, space velocity, gas ratios, and pressure are discussed along with the importance of reactor design. The subject of the importance of the cleanliness of the producer gas, so that maximum high-value product yield can be achieved with the greatest efficiency, is also discussed. © 2011 Future Science Ltd.