Context
The Central Government has approved a ₹37,500 crore scheme to encourage coal gasification in India with the aim of promoting cleaner use of coal, lowering imports of fuel and chemical products, and improving the country’s energy security.
About Coal Gasification
- Coal gasification is a thermo-chemical process in which coal is converted into a synthetic fuel gas known as syngas.
- In this process, coal is heated at very high temperatures, generally between 1000°C and 1400°C, with a limited supply of oxygen or air and steam.
- Before the reaction begins, coal is crushed into fine particles to improve the efficiency of the conversion process.
- The powdered coal is then fed into a gasification reactor where partial oxidation takes place instead of complete burning.
- During this reaction, coal breaks down into different gaseous substances that together form syngas.
- The produced syngas mainly contains carbon monoxide, hydrogen, methane, carbon dioxide and water vapour.
- The raw gas generated in the reactor is further cleaned by removing impurities such as sulfur compounds, tar and dust particles.
- Syngas obtained through this process can be used in the production of fuels, fertilisers and industrial chemicals.
- Compared to conventional coal combustion, coal gasification is considered a cleaner method of utilising coal resources.
- It can reduce India’s dependence on imports of natural gas, methanol, ammonia and other essential products.
