Future fuel
access to conventional energy resources will soon become a problem in future since estimates suggest that global reserves will last 40 years. In contrast, coal may last another 240 years. Compared to petroleum and natural gas, coal is inferior, generates less energy when burnt and emits a greater volume of sulphur oxides and other pollutants. As a solid, coal is more difficult to transport. But these obstacles can now be surmounted by converting coal into liquid or gaseous forms. These forms are easier to handle and friendlier to the environment.
The technologies for converting coal into liquid and gas fuels are being developed in Japan, Europe and the us. New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation (nedo), an affiliate of the Japanese ministry of international trade and industry (miti) has developed the technology to convert coal into a liquid fuel. In this liquefaction process, coal is pulverised and mixed with a catalyst in a liquid solvent. Under hot pressurised conditions, mole cular bonds break and the powdered coal turns into liquid. nedo's pilot plant utilises a high performance iron-sulphide catalyst to yield 50 per cent light oil
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