Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) has initiated a pilot project for Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) at the Kasta coal block in Jamtara District, Jharkhand.
- This marks India’s First Ever Pilot project for Underground Coal Gasification in Jharkhand.
Key points
- The project aims to revolutionize the coal industry by using in-situ coal gasification to convert it into valuable gases such as methane, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide.
- These gases can be utilized to produce synthetic natural gas, chemical feedstocks for fuels, fertilizers, explosives, and other industrial applications.
- Underground Coal Gasification offers a significant advantage by providing access to coal resources that are economically unviable through traditional mining methods.
- In December, 2015, the Ministry of Coal approved a comprehensive policy framework for UCG in coal and lignite-bearing areas.
- Indian government aims for 100 million ton (MT) coal gasification by 2030, with investments worth over Rs. 4 trillion.
- The adoption of gasification technology in India will revolutionize the coal sector, reducing reliance on imports of Natural Gas, Methanol, Ammonia, and other essential products.
- Ammonia can be produced through coal gasification as China produces more than 90% of its ammonia through coal gasification.
- Methanol can be produced from coal through gasification technology.
