In News : The Ministry of Coal has set a target to gasify 100 million tonnes of coal by FY 2030 in line with its energy transition plans.
Context:
- The Coal Ministry announced that it is considering a comprehensive scheme to promote coal gasification projects for both government Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and the private sector with an outlay of Rs 6,000 crores.
What is coal gasification?
Coal gasification is a process that generates syngas, a mixture of CO, H2, CO2, CH4, and H2O.
- During gasification, coal is blown with oxygen and steam while also being heated under high pressure.
- During the reaction, oxygen and water molecules oxidize the coal and produce syngas.
Need for Coal Gasification in India:
- Environment friendly: Coal gasification is considered to be a cleaner alternative than coal combustion.
- Multiple applications: Syngas from coal gasification is versatile, finding applications in SNO, energy fuels, ammonia, and petrochemical production.
- These products will help in moving towards self-reliance under Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.
- To exploit untapped reserves: Most of India’s known coal reserves cannot be tapped. Underground coal gasification can help extract abundant reserves that are deep, scattered and forested.
Advantages of Coal gasification
- Coal gasification can mitigate local pollution issues that have caused disruptions in some areas.
- It is considered a cleaner option compared to the burning of coal.
- Gasification facilitates utilisation of the chemical properties of coal.
- Coal gasification enables the separation and capture of carbon dioxide, offering the advantage of carbon capture and storage.
- Coal gas can be utilized for the production of iron, methanol, urea, and other chemical energy applications.
Disadvantages of Coal gasification
- Some studies say that coal gasification actually produces more CO2 than a traditional coal plant.
- Its overall carbon intensity is worse: so it is not attractive at all from a climate change point of view.
- Coal gasification is one of the more water-intensive forms of energy production while the country is already suffering from water shortages.
Steps taken by the Government in this sector
- Concession of 20% on revenue share:The government offers a 20% concession on revenue share for coal used in gasification to promote clean fuel usage.
- CIL has also planned to set up at least 3 gasification plants (besides Dankuni) on BOO basis through global tendering and has signed an MOU with GAIL for marketing synthetic natural gas.
- The initiative aims to optimize the utilization of India’s coal reserves in line with global sustainability standards.
- Technological advancements are offering greater coal recovery, flexibility in mining operations, increased productivity, greater safety and lowering cost.
- Setting up of National Coal Gasification Mission
- The Ministry of Coal has established the National Coal Gasification Mission to achieve 100 MT coal gasification by 2030.
