Gasification is the initial processing step in converting coal, and biomass, into liquid fuels and chemicals.
We've mentioned GE's participation in this market previously, and noted the, striking to us, peculiarity that their coal gasification business operates out of their European headquarters.
Note the final paragraph in the excerpt. Our belief, which we will attempt to substantiate, is that nearly all of the units in operation, or planned, with the exception of, perhaps, Eastman's Tennessee Coal-to-Chemicals facility and the Many Stars CTL project out west, are/will be in China, India and Malaysia.
We believe that Sasol, and the planned Italian CTL venture, will rely on technology supplied by Lurgi, whom we have also introduced to you.
As follows:
"GE Energy Introduces its Largest Capacity Quench Gasifier, Configured for Large Gasification Projects
Friday, Apr 10, 2009
GE Energy's 1,800 ft3 High Capacity Quench Gasifier will be particularly attractive to customers in China. The country's expansion is driving an increase in the size of many coal-to-chemicals plants.Much of the equipment for plants built with GE Energy gasification license technology is fabricated locally in China.
GE Energy is a world leader in the development and commercialization of gasification technology, which has been used for six decades in the production of chemicals including ammonia, hydrogen and methanol.
GE Energy is a world leader in the development and commercialization of gasification technology, which has been used for six decades in the production of chemicals including ammonia, hydrogen and methanol.
Offering a coal throughput of ~3,000 metric tons per day...
Currently, there are 65 gasification plants licensed by GE Energy in commercial operation worldwide, with an additional 20 in engineering and/or construction phases.
Gasification converts coal into a fuel called synthesis gas, or syngas. The syngas has a variety of uses including the production of chemicals, fertilizers and power generation. Gasification allows the use of China's abundant domestic coal reserves for energy and industrial applications...".