Context: India aims to achieve 100 MT coal gasification target by 2030: Pralhad Joshi. It will boost production of synthetic natural gas, energy fuel, urea for fertilisers and production of other chemicals.

About Coal gasification:

• Coal gasification is the process of converting coal into synthesis gas (also called syngas), which is a mixture of hydrogen (H2), carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2). The syngas can be used in a variety of applications such as in the production of electricity and making chemical products, such as fertilisers.
• According to the International Energy Agency’s Energy Technology Systems Analysis Programme (ETSAP), the coal gasification process holds good potential in the future, with coal being the most abundantly available fossil fuel across the world, and that even low-grade coal can be used in the process.

• According to the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, urea is currently produced using pooled natural gas, which comprises of both domestic natural gas and imported LNG. The usage of locally available coal for making fertilisers would help reduce the import of LNG
• It will geared towards helping the country meet its CoP-21 Paris Agreement commitments.

Reference: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1650096

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-how-coal-gasification-can-help-india-bring-down-its-urea-import-6025114/#:~:text=Coal%20gasification%20is%20the%20process,chemical%20products%2C%20such%20as%20fertilisers.

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