Coal gasification
Coal gasification
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Context: As per Union budget 2022-23, four pilot projects for coal gasification and conversion of coal into chemicals required for the industry will be set up for technical and financial viability.
Centre for Science and Environment (CSE)’s assessment findings:
- Delhi-based non-profit, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE)’s assessment found that coal gasification process is not attractive from a climate change point of view.
- Coal gasification plants are costlier than conventional power plants.
- CO2 emissions from syngas production are much higher than conventional natural gas and worse than burning coal for power directly.
- Coal is the main feed for gasification, thus it will not helps in India’s decarbonisation goals.
- The efficiency of conversion is also low.
- International studies have also reiterated that using synthetic natural gas for residential cooking and heating, for electricity generation, or for industrial heat generation, results in 10, 40 and 70 per cent more CO2 emissions than directly burning coal that provides the same amount of energy in each sector.
What is 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.
- Even low-grade coal can be used in the process.
- Coal gasification is prominent in China. China has the biggest number of coal gasification projects in the world.
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