Synthetic fuels from coal: an important source of energy. [20 gasification and liquefaction pilot plants in the US]
There are a number of coal conversion pilot plants in operation today in the United States. The table lists those which are currently operating with a coal consumption capacity larger than 1 ton per day. There are also several large underground coal gasification tests in operation not included in the table. Most of these pilot plants rely on government funding or private support. A number of demonstration plants have been proposed for construction; several have been terminated due to cutbacks in government support. Presently, there are only two coalbased synfuels plants that have reached the demonstration plant stage. These are the Texaco and Kilngas coal gasification plants. It should be noted, however, that there are several demonstration plants currently under development outside of the United States. Some of these are supported not only by the host government but by other countries as well under cooperative agreements. These plants include the British Gas Corporation/Lurgi slagging gasifier at Westfield, Scotland; the Westinghouse gasification demonstration facility, to be built at Sasol II, in South Africa; the Shell gasifier at Wilhelmshaven, West Germany, and the Rheinbraun high temperature Winkler gasification plant, near Wessling, West Germany. In the United States, many synthetic fuel projects requiring government funding may never be built. Outside the country, however, there are important developments that signal great potential for commercial coal-based synthetic fuel facilities. The methods for making a synfuels industry commercial may vary from country to country but some basic rules must be followed. The most important is a commitment to move away from conventional sources of energy.
- Research Organization:
- Synthetic Fuel Associates, Palo Alto, CA
- OSTI ID:
- 5542634
- Journal Information:
- World Coal; (United States), Vol. 8:1
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
COAL GASIFICATION
PILOT PLANTS
COAL LIQUEFACTION
SYNTHETIC FUELS
COMMERCIALIZATION
FINANCIAL INCENTIVES
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
KILNGAS PROCESS
LURGI SLAGGING PROCESS
SHELL-KOPPERS GASIFICATION PROCESS
SYNTHETIC FUELS CORPORATION
TEXACO GASIFICATION PROCESS
USA
WESTINGHOUSE GASIFICATION PROCESS
FUELS
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
GASIFICATION
LIQUEFACTION
NORTH AMERICA
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
010404* - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Gasification
010405 - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Hydrogenation & Liquefaction