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Utilization of Low-Rank Coals for Producing Syngas to Meet the Future Energy Needs: Technical and Economic Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Usama Ahmed

    (Chemical Engineering Department, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
    Interdisciplinary Research Center for Hydrogen and Energy Storage, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia)

  • Muhammad Arsalan Hussain

    (Institute of Energy & Environmental Engineering, New Campus, University of the Punjab, Lahore 53700, Pakistan)

  • Muhammad Bilal

    (Institute of Energy & Environmental Engineering, New Campus, University of the Punjab, Lahore 53700, Pakistan)

  • Hassan Zeb

    (Institute of Energy & Environmental Engineering, New Campus, University of the Punjab, Lahore 53700, Pakistan)

  • Umer Zahid

    (Chemical Engineering Department, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
    Interdisciplinary Research Center for Membranes & Water Security, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia)

  • Sagheer A. Onaizi

    (Chemical Engineering Department, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
    Interdisciplinary Research Center for Hydrogen and Energy Storage, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia)

  • Abdul Gani Abdul Jameel

    (Chemical Engineering Department, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
    Center for Refining & Advanced Chemicals, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia)

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 H 2 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 CO 2 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.

Suggested Citation

  • Usama Ahmed & Muhammad Arsalan Hussain & Muhammad Bilal & Hassan Zeb & Umer Zahid & Sagheer A. Onaizi & Abdul Gani Abdul Jameel, 2021. "Utilization of Low-Rank Coals for Producing Syngas to Meet the Future Energy Needs: Technical and Economic Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-15, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:19:p:10724-:d:644229
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    References listed on IDEAS

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