Fuel gas technology – correct method of producing producer gas Producer gas is obtained by which process among the following options?

Introduction / Context:
Producer gas is a low-calorific-value fuel gas used historically for industrial heating and early engines. It is important to distinguish it from related gases such as water gas, Mond gas, and coke oven gas.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Solid carbonaceous fuel bed in a gas producer.
• Air (oxygen source) and steam as the gasifying agents.
• Operating bed at red-hot temperatures to drive endothermic/exothermic reactions.

Concept / Approach:
Producer gas results from partial oxidation and gasification: carbon reacts with limited oxygen to form CO and with steam to form CO and H2. The mixed air–steam blast moderates temperature and increases H2 content while maintaining a combustible CO–H2 mixture with N2 dilution.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Key reactions: C + 1/2 O2 → CO (exothermic); C + H2O → CO + H2 (endothermic).Air supplies O2 and contributes N2 (diluent), while steam boosts H2.The balanced operating point yields producer gas composition roughly rich in CO and H2 with significant N2.Hence, the correct production route is partial combustion with an air–steam blast.

Verification / Alternative check:
Contrast with water gas (steam only) and Mond gas (air plus large steam at lower temperature for ammonia recovery), and coke oven gas (from destructive distillation of bituminous coal).

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Carbonisation makes coke oven gas, not producer gas.
• Steam over coke only makes water gas (CO + H2) without the characteristic N2 dilution.
• Mond process yields Mond gas with higher H2 and lower calorific value due to high N2 and added steam.
• Electrolysis/methanation is unrelated to producer gas.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing names because all are CO–H2 mixtures; the oxidant (air vs steam) and operating temperature distinguish them.

Final Answer:
partial combustion of coal, coke, anthracite coal, or charcoal in a mixed air–steam blast