Context: The Ministry of Coal has prepared a National Mission document to achieve 100 MT (Million Tonnes) Coal Gasification by 2030.

Coal Gasification

• Gasification is a process of converting carbonaceous materials like coal, petroleum, or biomass into synthesis gas, or syngas which is composed of carbon monoxide, hydrogen and carbon dioxide.
• Through the Coal gasification process, coal can be converted to useful gasses in situ without the need for mining. The resultant syngas can be used to produce heat, generate power or synthesize a variety of chemical products.
• Process of Coal Gasification: involves the circulation of gasification agents such as air, oxygen or water into a coal seam and the product gasses are transported to the surface for processing and subsequent utilisation. 

Advantages of Coal Gasification

• Coal gasification is considered to be an efficient way to generate electricity compared to conventional coal-fired power plants.
• Coal gasification eliminates the process of mining and addresses challenges with coal transportation.
• This method is said to be cost-effective as it requires minimum start-up capital and operating costs and the time taken to construct the plant is also less.
• Coal gasification helps reduce the need for landfill space, methane emissions and the use of fossil fuels.
• Gasification also facilitates the effective utilisation of all the chemical properties of coal.

Challenges associated with coal gasification

• Coal gasification in reality produces more carbon-di-oxide compared to a traditional coal plant.
• Also, Ammonia produced from coal gasification has a carbon footprint that is 1.8 times greater than that produced from the conventional process using natural gas.
• Coal gasification is one of the more water-intensive forms of energy production. There are concerns about water contamination, land subsidence and disposing of wastewater safely.

Road Ahead

• Companies need to adopt new technologies and build digital infrastructure to support the current and future requirements. There is a need to ensure optimal use of technology in the sector.