Just like what you have learned during your class about the available natural fossil fuels, coal is practically the least sought after among the group. This form of natural fossil fuel is considered as the dirtiest, the most difficult to harvest, and contains less energy for every kilogram as compared to other available options. However, one great thing that goes along with it is the fact that it is truly abundant.
Now, the use of coal is made better with the more innovative process known as Coal Gasification. This process is the right answer to your dirty coal requirements. But then, before jumping into the application of this process, it will be a good idea to know first about coal gasification pros and cons.
The Pros of Coal Gasification
The introduction of process for utilizing coal has brought a number of advantages which include the following:
1. The core of gasification lies in the gasifier that takes water, air and coal applying heat under pressure in order to produce syngas, which is the mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Minerals within the fuel separate, which leaves the gasifier’s bottom either plainly in ashes or in the form of glass-like, inert slag-materials, which could be reutilized for materials like road fill and concrete.
2. The crude syngas then leaves a gasifier piping hot and filled with contaminants, such as ammonia, some nasty particulates, mercury and hydrogen sulfide. A mixture of particulate filters, quench chambers and heat exchangers allow the syngas from cooling to room temperature and get rid of the majority of solids.
3. Syngas will then pass through a tiny charcoal bed for capturing mercury, which removes more than 90% of the toxic metal. Used charcoal that contains captured leftover of mercury will be sent to the hazardous landfill to be disposed.
4. The concluding step for cleaning within gasification is the sulfur impurities removal within units of acid gas removal wherein the impurities are being converted into elemental sulfur or sulfuric acid, which both valuable byproducts.
5. Once a coal has been converted into gas, it is pretty easy to get rid of pollutants. Sulfur, particulates, and mercury may be stripped out and then commercially sold. The “cleaned” gas may then be utilized for different forms of fuels like oil for fueling cars or heating homes.
The Cons of Coal Gasification
The gasification of coal may also draw a number of disadvantages. These disadvantages primarily include the following:
1. The drawbacks of coal gasification are quite substantial. When gasification has been taken off, there will be no sufficient waste coal within the country to sustain the beast. Therefore, people will probably return to coal mining that is never a good idea.
2. Coal gasification is significantly unproven and untested. Since IGCC plants are more costly than conventional coal fired plants, gasification will heavily rely on subsidies.
3. With coal gasification, there is more amount of carbon dioxide produced that will eventually lead to global warming. Even if people use IGCC plants, they will still generate lots of CO2.
Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of coal gasification, you will then create your own standpoint for the topic. By weighing them carefully, you must know the best answer.
