Enige technieken en markteconomische aspecten met betrekking tot de fabrieksmatige verwerking van steenkool tot gasvormige of vloeibare energiedragers

Abstract

First a review is given of the existing techniques and current development in the application of coal as an energy carrier, when the disadvantages attached to the use of coal is avoided. This technical part deals mainly with the process technology of manufacturing SNG and/or crude from coal and the generation of electricity from coal respectively. Secondly, the (future) commercial proposition of these techniques is valuated by determining the unit costs of the product (depending on conversion costs and the upset-price for the coal) and comparing this with the price development of alternative energy. For USA conditions it is expected that, in spite of the relatively high costs of conversion, a competitive SNG market price can be realised, being the result of a low cost price for coal ex mine. A competitive SNG price on the basis of European coal does not seem attainable. However, in Europe a competitive production of SNG may be achieved, provided that the price of imported coal does not appreciably exceed the technical cost price. If on the other hand the price of imported coal is based on a calorific equivalence with heavy fuel oil, SNG prices do not seem competitive with natural gas prices, unless this SNG will be used for 'heavy' premium markets (non-industrial public use). Conversion of coal into liquid fractions is much more expensive than conversion into SNG and therefore probably will nog be initiated very soon under the existing European conditions. For, SNG may serve as a substitute for heavy oil fractions and middle destillates (e.g. in industrial and domestic applications); the latter in their turn may be converted into light fractions via "cracking" at relatively low conversion costs.