Gasification perspective of Pakistani coal

This article presents a fuel characterisation study using Pakistani coals with reference to gasification. Pakistan has reasonable quantities of coal reserves, but most of this natural resource is underutilised. The energy crisis in the country demands investigating new avenues. Gasification of coal is one of the available alternatives. A detailed analysis of indigenous coal for the feasibility of gasification to generate power is desired. Six samples from the Chakwal coal mines in Pakistan were collected and analysed for proximate, ultimate, thermogravimetric (TG) and X-ray florescent spectrometric analyses. Numerous gasification processes are being employed in the world for power generation, district heating, factory, in-house, utility, etc. Almost all types of coals can be used, but the main issues are the polluting effect on the environment, economic justification and employment of suitable technology. The results show that the Chakwal coals have manageable quantity of moisture (3‐6%), high volatile matter, high ash (10‐30%), relatively low sulphur (0·2‐0·9%) and trace of chlorine. The ash fusion temperature is >1350°C. Thus, slagging and clinker formation of ash may be a remote possibility during gasification. The TG analyses suggest a high loss of weight due to temperature. The calorific value of coals is estimated to be between 18·8 and 25·5 MJ kg−1 (calculated by Dulong formula), which is significantly variant.