[5] Syngas is produced by steam reforming or partial oxidation of natural gas or liquid hydrocarbons, or coal gasification.
[11] The first reaction, between incandescent coke and steam, is strongly endothermic, producing carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen H2 (water gas in older terminology).
When the coke bed has cooled to a temperature at which the endothermic reaction can no longer proceed, the steam is then replaced by a blast of air.
Pure oxygen can be substituted for air to avoid the dilution effect, producing gas of much higher calorific value.
Audi, in partnership with company named Sunfire, opened a pilot plant in November 2014 to generate e-diesel using this process.
[22] Untreated syngas can be run in hybrid turbines that allow for greater efficiency because of their lower operating temperatures, and extended part lifetime.