Materials research, coal gasification

Materials of construction are becoming more critical with development of the newer processes and unit operations. Therefore, an expanded materials research program is essential to the successful development of a coal gasification industry. 

McCarthy, G.J., Hassett, D.J. and Manz, O.E.. (1986) Technical basis for codisposal of gasification and combustion ash from the plants at Beulah, North Dakota, in Fly Ash and Coal Conversion By-Products Characterization, Utilization and Disposal. II (eds G.J. McCarthy, F.P. Glasser and D.M. Roy), Materials Research Society Symposia Proceedings, Materials Research Society, Pittsburgh, PA, Vol. 65, 301-10. 

Alternative Feedstocks. In addition to the research to advance coal gasification plant efficiency and environmental performance, the apphcation of other feedstocks such as municipal wreiste and biomass are currently being explored. If a significant volume of conventionally unrecyclable material such as municipal waste or solid human waste can be converted into useful energy, there will be further development in the area of isolating certain materials. 

Materials Tests at the PRENFLO Coal Gasification Plant. Palo Alto, California Electric Power Research Institute, April 1990. GS-6826. 

Coal is currently economically useful only in plants that are equipped for large-scale handling of solids, and it is used only indirectly as a raw material for chemical synthesis. Accordingly, there has been considerable research on processes for converting coal into gaseous or liquid fuels and chemicals. Only gasification has advanced to commercial status. 

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