The term “catalytic waste gasification” describes a process in which solid waste (such as household waste, biomass, plastic, etc.) is converted into a combustible gas using a catalyst – usually a so-called synthesis gas or syngas, which consists mainly of hydrogen (H₂), carbon monoxide (CO) and smaller proportions of methane (CH₄).
How does catalytic waste gasification work?
Compared to conventional waste gasification, the catalytic variant has the following differences:
Temperature: The reaction can take place at lower temperatures (often 500-800 °C), as the catalyst reduces the reaction energy.
Catalyst: Materials such as nickel, iron, zeolites or other metal oxides are used to make the splitting of complex organic molecules more efficient.
Higher syngas quality: The catalyst reduces the formation of undesirable by-products (e.g. tars or dioxins).
Areas of application for syngas:
Electricity and heat generation
Production of synthetic diesel or methanol
Use in fuel cells
Advantages:
More efficient use of waste
Lower emissions compared to conventional waste incineration
Higher-quality products (e.g. pure H₂)
Challenges:
Catalyst deactivation due to coking or heavy metals in the waste
Costs for processing and keeping the waste clean
