According to World Natural Gas News on September 2, India plans to convert 100 million tons of thermal coal into synthetic natural gas and chemical products in the next 10 years. This is part of India’s efforts to promote the wider use of clean energy.
India’s Coal Minister Prallard Joshi said last night that it is estimated that by 2030, the total investment in coal gasification and liquefaction will reach 4 trillion rupees ($55 billion). According to data from the Ministry of Coal, India’s coal production was 729.1 million tons in the fiscal year ended March 31.
According to the Clean Coal Center of the International Energy Agency, headquartered in London, coal gasification is a process of converting coal into synthesis gas, which is a mixture of carbon monoxide, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, natural gas and water vapor.
These syngas can be processed to produce energy fuels and products such as urea. In the direct liquefaction of coal, coal can be directly processed to produce liquid hydrocarbons. The minister said that the plan "is no longer a desire but a requirement", emphasizing the country's heavy dependence on crude oil imports.
Josh said that in order to encourage companies to establish such projects, the Ministry of Coal of India has formulated a policy that if the coal produced is used for gasification and liquefaction, it will give a 20% revenue share in the upcoming coal commercial mining block auction. .
State-owned coal producer Coal Company of India (CIL) is part of a proposed coal gasification and fertilizer joint venture in the eastern Indian state of Orissa.
The ministry stated that CIL plans to establish at least three joint venture gasification plants in the country. The company is already planning to build a coal-to-methanol project.
Source: Chemical Network
