Coal Gasification Technology
Process and Products
Coal gasification converts coal or lignite into synthesis gas (syngas) — a mixture primarily of hydrogen (H₂) and carbon monoxide (CO), with traces of carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and water vapour. The process requires extreme heat (1,000–1,400°C) and controlled amounts of oxygen and steam in a reactor, which partially oxidises the coal rather than burning it completely. Syngas is a versatile feedstock: it can generate electricity in gas turbines, produce urea (via the Haber-Bosch process using the H₂ component), methanol, synthetic natural gas (SNG), liquid fuels (via Fischer-Tropsch synthesis), and hydrogen.
- Surface Coal Gasification (SCG): coal is mined conventionally and then gasified above ground in a reactor — this is the technology targeted by this scheme.
- Underground Coal Gasification (UCG): the gasification reaction occurs in situ within the coal seam; suited for deep or unmineable reserves.
- High-ash coal (India's coal averages 40–45% ash content) has historically been a challenge for gasification; the scheme encourages technology-agnostic approaches, including indigenous technologies suited to high-ash Indian coal.
- India's coal reserves: approximately 401 billion tonnes; lignite reserves: approximately 47 billion tonnes (one of the world's largest).
● Tracked since May 13, 2026 · last seen June 20, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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