Categories: Science

India develops new technology to convert high ash coal to gas for use as green fuel

<p>
India has developed an indigenous technology to convert high ash Indian coal to methanol and established its first pilot plant in Hyderabad, according to information provided by the ministry of science and technology.</p>
<p>
This technology will help the country move towards the adoption of clean technology and promote the use of methanol as a transportation fuel (blending with petrol), thus reducing crude oil imports.</p>
<p>
Coal to methanol plants in most countries are operated with low ash coals. Handling of high ash and heat required to melt this high amount of ash is a challenge in the case of Indian coal, which generally has high ash content.</p>
<p>
<strong>Also read:</strong>  <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/science-news/indian-scientists-develop-new-tech-to-convert-poultry-feathers-human-hair-into-pet-food-fertilisers-115223.html">Indian scientists develop new tech to convert poultry feathers, human hair into pet food, fertilisers</a></p>
<p>
In order to overcome this challenge, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has developed the fluidized bed gasification technology suitable for high ash Indian coals to produce syngas and then convert syngas to methanol with 99% purity.</p>
<p>
BHEL has integrated its existing coal to syngas pilot plant at Hyderabad with a suitable downstream process for converting syngas into methanol. This pilot-scale project with a methanol generation capacity of 0.25 metric tons per day has been initiated by NITI Aayog and funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) under Clean Energy Research Initiative.</p>
<p>
Currently, the pilot plant is producing methanol with purity of more than 99%. Scaling it up will help in optimum utilization of the country’s energy reserves and accelerate its journey towards self-reliance.</p>

Sushant Maji

Junior Editor, specialises in covering Science and Technology.

Recent Posts

Jaishankar, European Commission President Leyen discuss ways to deepen partnership

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to…

13 hours ago

“Op Sindoor is proof govt transformed India’s security apparatus”: Rajnath Singh

Stressing that Rs 1.75 lakh crore defence production & Rs 30,000 crore defence exports targets…

13 hours ago

India, Brunei discuss ways to further deepen partnership

Secretary (East) P Kumaran met Permanent Secretary, Brunei Darussalam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hajah Johariah…

16 hours ago

EU Commission President Leyen meets EAM Jaishankar, says “strategic partnership getting stronger”

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Belgium…

16 hours ago

Paank condemns extrajudicial killings of four Baloch men, calls out Pakistan’s ‘kill-and-dump’ policy

Paank, Baloch National Movement's Human Rights Department, strongly condemned the brutal extrajudicial killings of four…

17 hours ago

NaMo App launches ‘Jan Man Survey’ to mark 11 years of PM Modi’s leadership

To commemorate Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 11 years in office, the Narendra Modi App or…

18 hours ago