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Coal Gasification and Liquefaction
India aims for 100 million tonnes (MT) coal gasification by 2030 with investments worth over Rs. 4 lakh crores.
For encouraging use of clean sources of fuel, the government has provided for a concession of 20% on revenue share of coal used for gasification.
This will boost production of synthetic natural gas, energy fuel, urea for fertilisers and production of other chemicals.
Coal Gasification
It is the process of producing syngas, a mixture consisting of carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen (H2), carbon dioxide (CO2), natural gas (CH4), and water vapour (H2O).
During gasification, coal is blown with oxygen and steam while also being heated under high pressure.
During the reaction, oxygen and water molecules oxidize the coal and produce syngas.
Transporting gas is a lot cheaper than transporting coal.
Help address local pollution problems.
Has greater efficiency than conventional coal-burning because it can effectively use the gases twice: the coal gases are first cleansed of impurities and fired in a turbine to generate electricity.
The exhaust heat from the gas turbine can be captured and used to generate steam for a steam turbine-generator.
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Coal Liquefaction
It is an alternative route to produce diesel and gasoline and makes economic sense only in a world of high crude oil prices,Also called Coal to Liquid (CTL) technology.
The process involves gasification of coal, which in turn will produce synthetic gas (a mix of CO+H2).
The synthetic gas can be liquefied to its fuel equivalent in presence of cobalt/iron-based catalysts at higher pressure and temperature.
However, liquefied coal emits twice as much CO2 as burning oil. It also emits a large volume of SO2.
The CO2 emissions are more readily and cheaply captured from CTL plants than from conventional coal-fired power stations.
The captured CO2 can be transported and injected into underground storage reservoirs (a procedure known as “carbon capture and storage”—CCS—or “geosequestration”).
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