Coal Gasification Explained

The Environment Ministry’s expert panel declined a request to relax the minimum operational depth requirement for underground coal gasification projects. The Coal Ministry had proposed removing the 300-metre minimum depth condition for research and development pilot projects.

Coal Gasification:

Dimension	Key Details
Coal Gasification	A process that converts solid coal into synthetic gas (syngas) using heat, pressure and steam or oxygen instead of direct combustion.
Main Product	Produces synthetic gas (syngas).
Composition of Syngas	Primarily consists of carbon monoxide, hydrogen and carbon dioxide.
Method	Coal reacts with controlled amounts of oxygen, steam and heat in a high-temperature environment.
Underground Coal Gasification	A technique where coal is converted into gas directly within underground coal seams without conventional mining.
Minimum Depth Requirement	Current guidelines require underground coal gasification projects to operate at a minimum depth of 300 metres.
Expert Panel Decision	The Environment Ministry’s expert panel declined the exemption request.
Energy Security	Helps utilise domestic coal resources more efficiently and strengthens energy security.
Environmental Advantage	Produces lower sulfur emissions compared with traditional coal combustion.
Major Government Initiative	National Coal Gasification Mission launched by the Ministry of Coal.
Mission Target	Aims to gasify 100 million tonnes of coal by 2030.