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Analysis of rationality of coal-based synthetic natural gas (SNG) production in China

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  • Li, Hengchong
  • Yang, Siyu
  • Zhang, Jun
  • Kraslawski, Andrzej
  • Qian, Yu

Abstract

To alleviate the problem of the insufficient reserves of natural gas in China, coal-based synthetic natural gas (SNG) is considered to be a promising option as a source of clean energy, especially for urban use. However, recent study showed that SNG will not accomplish the task of simultaneous energy conservation and CO2 reduction. In this paper, life cycle costing is made for SNG use in three main applications in residential sector: heating, household use, and public transport. Comparisons are conducted between SNG and coal, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), diesel, and methanol. The results show that SNG is a competitive option only for household use. The use of SNG for heating boilers or city buses is not as cost-effective as expected. The biggest shortcoming of SNG is the large amount of pollutants generated in the production stage. At the moment, the use of SNG is promoted by the government. However, as shown in this paper, one can expect a transfer of pollution from the urban areas to the regions where SNG is produced. Therefore, it is suggested that well-balanced set of environmental damage-compensating policies should be introduced to compensate the environmental losses in the SNG-producing regions.

Suggested Citation

  • Li, Hengchong & Yang, Siyu & Zhang, Jun & Kraslawski, Andrzej & Qian, Yu, 2014. "Analysis of rationality of coal-based synthetic natural gas (SNG) production in China," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 180-188.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:71:y:2014:i:c:p:180-188
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2014.04.018
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Chen, Bokun & Yang, Siyu & Cao, Qi & Qian, Yu, 2020. "Life cycle economic assessment of coal chemical wastewater treatment facing the ‘Zero liquid discharge’ industrial water policies in China: Discharge or reuse?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    3. Li, Cunfang & Li, Danping & Dong, Mei, 2019. "The spillage effect of the transfer behavior of coal resource-exhausted enterprises and science and technology projects," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 385-396.
    4. Jianchao, Hou & Zhiwei, Wang & Liu, Pingkuo, 2022. "Current practice and future projection for coal-to-SNG in China," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    5. Zhou, Huairong & Qian, Yu & Kraslawski, Andrzej & Yang, Qingchun & Yang, Siyu, 2017. "Life-cycle assessment of alternative liquid fuels production in China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 507-522.
    6. Feng, Ye & Chen, Jinglong & Luo, Ji, 2024. "Life cycle cost analysis of power generation from underground coal gasification with carbon capture and storage (CCS) to measure the economic feasibility," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    7. Yi, Qun & Wu, Guo-sheng & Gong, Min-hui & Huang, Yi & Feng, Jie & Hao, Yan-hong & Li, Wen-ying, 2017. "A feasibility study for CO2 recycle assistance with coke oven gas to synthetic natural gas," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 193(C), pages 149-161.
    8. Zhang, You & Yuan, Zengwei & Margni, Manuele & Bulle, Cécile & Hua, Hui & Jiang, Songyan & Liu, Xuewei, 2019. "Intensive carbon dioxide emission of coal chemical industry in China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 236(C), pages 540-550.

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