100 Million Tonnes Coal Gasification by 2030

GS-III | Environment & Disaster Management

100 Million Tonnes Coal Gasification by 2030


Q. Why is it news/context?

·      Ministry of Coalhas prepared a National Mission document to achieve 100 MT Coal Gasification by 2030.

Q. What is Coal gasification?

·     Coal gasification is the process of producing syngas—a mixture consisting primarily of carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen (H2), carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and water vapour (H2O)—from coal and water, air and/or oxygen.

·   Coal gasification is future. It is considered as cleaner option compared to burning of coal. Gasification facilitates utilization of the chemical properties of coal

·  In current practice, large-scale coal gasification installations are primarily for electricity generation (both in conventional thermal power stations and molten carbonate fuel cell power stations), or for production of chemical feedstocks.

·     The hydrogen obtained from coal gasification can be used for various purposes such as making ammonia, powering a hydrogen economy, or upgrading fossil fuels.

·     Alternatively, coal-derived syngas can be converted into transportation fuels such as gasoline and diesel through additional treatment, or into methanol which itself can be used as transportation fuel or fuel additive, or which can be converted into gasoline.

·    Natural gas from coal gasification can be cooled until it liquifies for use as a fuel in the transport sector.

Q. What is the Environmental impact of modern coal gasification?

·    The Coal gasification processes require controls and pollution prevention measures to mitigate pollutant emissions. Pollutants or emissions of concern in the context of coal gasification include primarily:

1.Ash & slag

·  Non-slagging gasifiers produce dry ash similar to that produced by conventional coal combustion, which can be an environmental liability if the ash (typically containing heavy metals) is leachable or caustic, and if the ash must be stored in ash ponds.

·  Slagging gasifiers, which are utilized at many of the major coal gasification applications worldwide, have considerable advantage in that ash components are fused into a glassy slag, capturing trace heavy metals in the non-leachable glassy matrix, rendering the material non-toxic.

·    This non-hazardous slag has multiple beneficial uses such as aggregate in concrete, aggregate in asphalt for road construction, grit in abrasive blasting, roofing granules,etc 

 2. Carbon dioxide (CO2)

·        CO2 is of paramount importance in global climate change.

1.   Mercury

2.   Arsenic

 3. Particulate matter (PM)

·        Ash is formed in gasification from inorganic impurities in the coal. Some of these impurities react to form microscopic solids which can be suspended in the syngas produced by gasification.

4.   Sulfur dioxide (SO2)

·        Typically coal contains anywhere from 0.2 to 5 percent sulfur by dry weight, which converts to H2S and COS in the gasifiers due to the high temperatures and low oxygen levels. These "acid gases" are removed from the syngas produced by the gasifiers by acid gas removal equipment prior to the syngas being burned in the gas turbine to produce electricity, or prior to its use in fuels synthesis.

5.   Nitrogen oxides (NOx)

·        (NOx) refers to nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Coal usually contains between 0.5 and 3 percent nitrogen on a dry weight basis, most of which converts to harmless nitrogen gas. Small levels of ammonia and hydrogen cyanide are produced, and must be removed during the syngas cooling process. In the case of power generation, NOx also can be formed downstream by the combustion of syngas in turbines.

 

Test Yourself:

 

Q37. Consider the following statements about coal gasification:

1.   It is a process in which coal is partially oxidised with air, oxygen, steam or carbon dioxide to form a fuel gas.

2.   It produces Syngas

3.   It is one of the more water-intensive forms of energy production.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

 

(a) 1, 2, 3

(b) 1, 3

(c) 2, 3

(d) None

 

Ans: (a)

 

                                      ******

  • Other Related News
  • Geography Geography
    Eprakram
  • Important Essay
  • Geography Geography

    Quick Links


    A Case for Kerala's Missing Elephants

    A Case for Kerala's Missing Elephants

    Why in the news?Kerala's recent enumeration revealed that the wild elephant population has decreased from 5706 in 2017 to 2386 in 2023, registering a steep decline of 58% in the state.Possible reasons attributed to the decrease in the population:1
    Bharat (BH) Series Number plate

    Bharat (BH) Series Number plate

    1.       Bharat Series is a new numbering series that will be used for vehicle registration across the nation, especially for those vehicles that frequently shift from one state to another due to their owner’s tra
    Quiet Diplomacy Could Ease South China Sea Tensions

    Quiet Diplomacy Could Ease South China Sea Tensions

    What is Quiet Diplomacy?1.   “Quiet diplomacy” refers to one state’s efforts to influence the behaviour of another state through discreet negotiations or actions. 2.    It operates behind the scenes and may rely on&n
    Disaster Preparedness During Floods

    Disaster Preparedness During Floods

    Why in the News?·       High precipitation in the upper and lower catchment area of R.Yamuna has led to devastating floods in the National capital.·       The Central Water Co
    Indo-France Relations

    Indo-France Relations

    Indo-France Relations:1)      Convergence of Indo-pacific strategies of India and France●       France is a resident power in the Indian ocean with 2.7sq million km EEZ●   &n
    PM MODI's visit to the US - GAINS TO INDIA

    PM MODI's visit to the US - GAINS TO INDIA

    Why in the News?Prime Minister Narendra Modi visit to the USA has helped India showcase its Cultural heritage, Diplomatic prowess and its growing influence on the world stage.Key outcomes of the Diplomatic visit:1)      A
    CPI basket conceals the inflation picture

    CPI basket conceals the inflation picture

    Why in the News?India's consumer price index (CPI) inflation rose to 4.81% in June 2023, higher than expectations but still below the RBI's upper tolerance limit of 6%. The spike was driven by a less supportive base and a surge in vegetable prices
    A big step in reducing the risk of disasters

    A big step in reducing the risk of disasters

    Why in the news?India has established the first G20 Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group.What is the rationale behind its establishment?The consequences of climate change are resulting in devastating disasters across the world.●    &n
    Custodial Violence

    Custodial Violence

    Why in the News?Two persons have allegedly died of custodial violence in Delhi and Faridabad in separate cases.Custodial Violence & death:●       Includes torture, death and other excesses in police custody or
    Migration In India

    Migration In India

    Why in the News?The Bombay High Court has taken Suo motu cognisance of exploitation of intra-state migrant workforce in Maharastra (MH).What is the background of the issue?1.    People from Drought-affected and water-scarce regions of Ma