First coal-to-methanol plant starts commercial production

Tags: National News

India’s first indigenously developed Coal to Methanol (CTM) Plant through gasification route has started functioning with more than 99 % of purity opening a new avenue to convert high ash coals to methanol.

• Union Minister for Heavy Industries Mahendra Nath Pandey dedicated the plant to the nation, as part of the ongoing 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' celebrations.
• The 0.25 TPD (Tons per Day) capacity CTM pilot plant was designed, developed, and installed by the Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited(BHEL)
• The project was supported by the Department of Science and Technology under the Clean Energy Research Initiative.
• It is installed at BHEL’s in-house plant located in Hyderabad.
• This technology will help the country move towards the adoption of clean technology and promote the use of methanol as a transportation fuel (blending with petrol), thus reducing crude oil imports.
• The broad process of converting coal into methanol consists of the conversion of coal to synthesis (syngas) gas, syngas cleaning and conditioning, syngas to methanol conversion, and methanol purification. 
• Coal to methanol plants in most countries are operated with low ash coals. So, it was a challenge for India because of its high ash content.