Modelling Syngas Combustion from Biomass Gasification and Engine Applications: A Comprehensive Review

José Ramón Copa Rey, Andrei Longo, Bruna Rijo, Cecilia Mateos-Pedrero, Paulo Brito and Catarina Nobre ()
Additional contact information
José Ramón Copa Rey: VALORIZA–Research Centre for Endogenous Resource Valorization, Portalegre Polytechnic University, Campus Politécnico 10, 7300−555 Portalegre, Portugal
Andrei Longo: VALORIZA–Research Centre for Endogenous Resource Valorization, Portalegre Polytechnic University, Campus Politécnico 10, 7300−555 Portalegre, Portugal
Bruna Rijo: VALORIZA–Research Centre for Endogenous Resource Valorization, Portalegre Polytechnic University, Campus Politécnico 10, 7300−555 Portalegre, Portugal
Cecilia Mateos-Pedrero: VALORIZA–Research Centre for Endogenous Resource Valorization, Portalegre Polytechnic University, Campus Politécnico 10, 7300−555 Portalegre, Portugal
Paulo Brito: VALORIZA–Research Centre for Endogenous Resource Valorization, Portalegre Polytechnic University, Campus Politécnico 10, 7300−555 Portalegre, Portugal
Catarina Nobre: VALORIZA–Research Centre for Endogenous Resource Valorization, Portalegre Polytechnic University, Campus Politécnico 10, 7300−555 Portalegre, Portugal

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 19, 1-22

Abstract: Syngas, a renewable fuel primarily composed of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, is emerging as a viable alternative to conventional fossil fuels in internal combustion engines (ICEs). Obtained mainly through the gasification of biomass and organic waste, syngas offers significant environmental benefits but also presents challenges due to its lower heating value and variable composition. This review establishes recent advances in understanding syngas combustion, chemical kinetics, and practical applications in spark-ignition (SI) and compression-ignition (CI) engines. Variability in syngas composition, dependent on feedstock and gasification conditions, strongly influences ignition behavior, flame stability, and emissions, demanding detailed kinetic models and adaptive engine control strategies. In SI engines, syngas can replace up to 100% of conventional fuel, typically at 20–30% reduced power output. CI engines generally require a pilot fuel representing 10–20% of total energy to start combustion, favoring dual-fuel (DF) operation for efficiency and emissions control. This work underlines the need to integrate advanced modelling approaches with experimental insights to optimize performance and meet emission targets. By addressing challenges of fuel variability and engine adaptation, syngas reveals promising potential as a clean fuel for future sustainable power generation and transport applications.

Keywords: syngas; biomass gasification; combustion kinetics; internal combustion engines; dual-fuel operation; modelling; emissions (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/19/5112/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/19/5112/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:19:p:5112-:d:1758415

Access Statistics for this article

Energies is currently edited by Ms. Cassie Shen

More articles in Energies from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().