Final answer:
The primary gases in syngas produced in coal gasification are carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen (H₂). Converting coal to syngas removes any sulfur present and produces a clean-burning mixture of gases.
Step-by-step explanation:
The two primary gases in syngas (synthetic gas) produced in coal gasification are carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen (H₂). In the process of coal gasification, coal reacts with steam to produce a mixture of CO and H₂, known as synthesis gas or syngas. The reaction can be represented by the following equation:
C(s) + H₂O(g) → CO(g) + H₂(g)
Converting coal to syngas removes any sulfur present and produces a clean-burning mixture of gases. Syngas can be used as a reactant to produce methane and methanol through a series of reactions.
The two primary gases in syngas, which is produced during coal gasification, are carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen (H₂). This mixture is obtained by reacting coal (primarily composed of carbon, C) with steam (H₂O(g)) to produce CO and H₂ as outlined in the reaction: C(s) + H₂O(g) → CO(g) + H₂(g). Syngas, due to its composition, is a valuable fuel and is also used as a reactant in the production of other chemicals such as methane and methanol. Through coal gasification, impurities such as sulfur can be removed from the coal, resulting in a cleaner-burning fuel. Furthermore, producing syngas is a way to utilize coal more efficiently and with potentially lower environmental impact compared to direct coal combustion.