Gasification Technology
Gasification technology produces various hydrogen-carbon based fuels in the form of a synthetic gas starting with a solid such as coal or a similar carbon based solid. The gasification process chemically reacts coal with oxygen and steam under high temperature and pressure, to create synthetic gas, which is similar to natural gas. The gasification process is largely a chemical reaction, which unlike traditional coal boilers does not burn coal. The synthetic gas can be substituted for natural gas as a feedstock for production of power, chemicals and liquid fuel end products. Since the coal is not combusted, but chemically reacted within a closed vessel, the ability to capture and handle all elements including those deemed hazardous or undesirable is possible.
The world renowned Huaneng Clean Energy Research Institute "HCERI" formerly Thermal Power Research Institute "TPRI" has patented gasification technology that is being used in gasification facilities in China with large projects under construction in Inner Mongolia and Tianjian, China.
The gasification technology can also be used with other inputs such as petroleum coke (a carbonaceous solid derived from oil refinery coker units used in the refining of crude oil to gasoline and other distillates). Similarly, very low quality coals previously viewed as unsuitable for commercial use due to their very high levels of sulphur based emissions can be used as fuel with the gasification technology. The commercially available sulphur capture equipment effectively removes up to 99.9% of the sulphur from a gasification gas stream, which eliminates emissions of sulphur dioxide (which contributes to acid rain).
The two-stage gasification technology has been developed and refined over the last 14 years by the China Huaneng Group through HCERI (formerly TPRI). In 1996, a pilot-scale gasifier which proved the chemical reactions progressed as planned. By 2004, the Ministry of Science and Technology ("MOST") for the government of China funded a much larger gasifier using additional advances in HCERI's gasification technology. Following the success of this large scale trial and with the support of MOST, the China Huaneng Group, the largest utility in China, together with industry partners began developing the GreenGen IGCC, which is an advanced coal power plant expected to deliver 250 MW of electricity to the Tianjin area of China by 2012. GreenGen is the world’s first advanced coal project leading the way for zero emission IGCC. The project will use 2000 tons of coal daily and feature HCERI’s proprietary gasifier and Syngas Cooler technology. The first 250 MW phase of GreenGen is under construction and is scheduled to be on line by 2012.
In addition to the GreenGen IGCC, HCERI gasification technology is currently being deployed into several commercial gasification plants that are in various stages of completion. The first plant intends to convert coal to methanol with an annual production capacity of 300,000 tons per year. This methanol plant is being constructed in Inner Mongolia, China pursuant to a joint venture between a private enterprise and the provincial government. Completion of the plant was in early 2011. A second plant, the Hulunbeir Methanol Project, which will also use the HCERI gasification technology to convert coal to methanol with an annual production capacity of 600,000 tons per year, is being constructed by the China Huaneng Group in Mongolia and is expected to be complete in late 2012.
To learn more about our gasification solutions please contact us.
Rendering of the Green Gen Plant
© 2012 EmberClear Corp.
EmberClear is an advanced coal energy development company. We aim to accelerate the adoption of technologies enabling dramatic improvements in the efficiency and cleanliness of fossil fuel consumption.
