THE development of clean coal technology has taken a major step forward in Western Australia following the successful international testing of the gasification of Collie coal.
The WA Government says that coal from Collie was one of the most suitable coals for gasification in Australia.
Coal gasification uses oxygen at high pressures to break coal into several components, such as hydrogen and carbon monoxide that can be used as a fuel instead of burning coal. It is one of the most attractive options for low emissions power generation, combined with carbon capture and storage, or geosequestration.
The Government said the results gave credence to the idea of using clean coal technologies in power generation and proved that WA could be at the forefront of its development.
The research was undertaken by the CRC for Coal in Sustainable Development (CCSD) through its participant, CSIRO Energy Technology, in Brisbane.
Part of the study was conducted at the Siemens Gasification Test Facility in Freiberg, Germany.
CCSD chief executive officer Frank van Schagen said the outcomes of the study were very significant for Australia’s coal future.
A summary of the gasification study done on Collie coal is available at http://www.ccsd.biz or http://www.doir.wa.gov.au.