Surface Coal Gasification-A technology for utilization of low rank coal for Power and other chemical product generation

The vital challenge for a growing economy is to maintain the continuous energy supply. Though, it does not only mean to generate energy by any means but to develop and harness the eco- friendly in line with the global trend.It is a fact that coal plays a major role in Indian energy scenario and contributes approximately 60% as primary source of energy requirements. Its contribution in total electricity generation is about 66%.

The importance of coal as primary energy resource will continue, looking at the geopolitical situation of hydrocarbon fuel. The estimated coal reserve in India has been envisaged as 301.56 billion tones. The Indian production of coalis ranked thirdglobally. India accounts for about 7% of the total coal reserves all over the world.As per Integrated EnergyPolicy Committee of Planning Commission-2006, coal willremain India's most important energy source till2031-32 and possibly beyond. Out of the total production of coal, approximately 77% is being consumed in power sector.

It is considered that coal deposits beyond 300 m depths are generally not economically viable for mining. A large chunk of coal, approximately 80% of total reserve, is of low quality meaning basically for non-metallurgical usage having low calorific value.About 88% of total non-metallurgical coal is mainly used for power generation. 86% of total non-metallurgical coal is high ash content deposited between 0-1200m depths. Only 15% is mineable or recoverable from the available reserve. With this Indian coal scenario, this paper is written on the surface coal gasification technologies, a coal gasification processthat produces synthesis gas for power generation or feed stock for manufacture of methanol, gasolineand other chemical by-products having high demand in present market. An honest effort is also made for assessing techno commercial feasibility for power generation and other chemical products by the production of the synthesis gas generated by gasification of high ash content coal.

References:

1. Data collected from the website of Ministry of Coal, Govt of India.
2. Low-rank coal slurries for gasification by Warrack G. Willson, Sylvia A. Farnum, Gene G. BakerGeorge H. Quentin
3. Coal Gasification Systemshttp://www.netl.doe.gov/research/coal/energy-systems/gasification
4. Coal gasification for advanced power generation by Andrew J. Minchener
5. Hydrogen from coal gasification: An economical pathway to a sustainable energy future by Gary J. Stiegela, MassoodRamezanb