The syngas exiting the various syngas production processes primarily contains a mixture of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, along with unreacted methane and other trace components. The H2/CO ratio in the syngas is typically adjusted to meet the requirements of the downstream processes. These downstream processes include a wide range of gaseous, liquid or solid products, including:
- Industrial gases, such as pure H2 or CO
- Liquids, such as alcohols or transportation fuels
- Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG)
- Chemicals, such as Ammonia, acetic acid, and urea
Since each downstream process requires a specific syngas composition as well as limits to other contaminants, the syngas is typically conditioned by the following processes