Utilization of low-rank coals for producing syngas to meet the future energy needs: Technical and economic analysis

Abstract

Increased energy demand in recent decades has resulted in both an energy crisis and carbon emissions. As a result, the development of cleaner fuels has been under the research spotlight. Low-rank coals are geographically dispersed, abundant, and cheap but are not utilized in conventional processes. Syngas can be produced from coal-using gasification which can be used in various chemical engineering applications. In this study, the process model for syngas production from low-rank coal is developed and the effects of various process parameters on syngas composition are evaluated, followed by a technical and economic evaluation. The syngas production rate for the low-rank coal has been evaluated as 25.5 kg/s, and the contribution to H2 and CO production is estimated as 1.59 kg/s and 23.93 kg/s, respectively. The overall syngas production and energy consumed in the process was evaluated as 27.68 kg/GJ, and the CO2 specific emissions were calculated as 0.20 (mol basis) for each unit of syngas production. The results revealed that the syngas production efficiency for low-rank coals can be as high as 50.86%. Furthermore, the economic analysis revealed that the investment and minimum selling prices per tonne of syngas production are EUR 163.92 and EUR 180.31, respectively.