Ministry of Coal Initiates India's First Underground Coal Gasification Pilot Project in Jharkhand

Tags: National News

The Ministry of Coal has initiated India's first pilot project for Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) in Jharkhand.

An Overview of the News

• The project aims to revolutionize the coal industry by converting in-situ coal into valuable gases like methane, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide.

Objectives

• Transform economically unviable coal resources through advanced gasification technologies.

• Produce synthetic natural gas, chemical feedstocks, fertilizers, and industrial products from converted gases.

Project Details

• Location: Kasta coal block, Jamtara District, Jharkhand.

• Led by Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) in collaboration with CMPDI Ranchi and Ergo Exergy Technologies Inc. (EETI) from Canada.

• Two-year project divided into two phases: feasibility study and pilot-scale gasification.

Phases

• Phase 1 (Started June 22, 2024): Conducting borehole drilling and core testing to prepare a Technical Feasibility Report.

• Phase 2: Implementation of coal gasification at a pilot scale.

Benefits

• Enhances energy security and promotes sustainable development.

• Demonstrates efficient utilization of India's coal reserves, contributing to energy self-reliance.

• Showcases innovative coal gasification technologies tailored to Indian geo-mining conditions.

Strategic Importance

• Aligned with the Ministry of Coal's policy framework for UCG in coal and lignite-bearing areas.

• Supported by the CIL R&D Board to foster R&D and innovation in the coal sector.

Future Outlook

• Expected to set new standards in coal resource utilization and pave the way for similar projects in India.

• Aims to establish India as a leader in adopting advanced coal gasification technologies.