Solid coal turns into liquid fuel? This 100 billion-dollar project in China gives you the answer →

Author: Shi Xiangqi and Li Chuanfu

On October 8, 2024, my country's first project using the independently developed second-generation coal direct liquefaction technology was officially launched in Hami, Xinjiang. This technology marks a major breakthrough in my country's coal liquefaction technology, and also demonstrates my country's leading position in global energy transformation and technological innovation.

Coal liquefaction technology, in short, is to convert solid coal into liquid fuel. This process is of great significance to improving the comprehensive utilization efficiency of coal and reducing environmental pollution. There are two main coal liquefaction technologies in the world: direct liquefaction and indirect liquefaction.

Direct liquefaction technology, also known as hydroliquefaction, is a process of converting coal into liquid fuel using a catalyst under high temperature, high pressure and hydrogen conditions. The products of this process are mainly high-quality diesel, aviation fuel and naphtha. In 2008, my country built the world's first million-ton-level direct coal liquefaction commercial plant in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, becoming the only country in the world to master this technology.

Indirect liquefaction technology first converts coal into synthesis gas (mainly hydrogen and carbon monoxide), and then converts the synthesis gas into liquid hydrocarbon fuel through a catalyst. This technical path is more flexible and can produce a variety of different chemicals and fuels, including gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, etc.

The Hami project adopts the second-generation coal direct liquefaction technology independently developed by the State Energy Group, as well as the new generation of coal indirect liquefaction technology and naphtha methanol coupled cracking technology. The integrated application of these technologies aims to achieve efficient, clean and low-carbon conversion of coal resources.

It is worth mentioning that the project will also simultaneously apply the coupling technology of new energy green hydrogen and coal chemical industry. Green hydrogen is produced by electrolysis of water using renewable energy (such as wind power and solar power) and does not produce greenhouse gas emissions. In the Hami project, it is expected that the abundant local wind and solar resources will be used to produce green hydrogen. Green hydrogen can be used as a reducing agent or raw material in the coal chemical process. For example, green hydrogen is used instead of traditional fossil fuels in the gasification process of coal, thereby reducing carbon dioxide emissions. In addition, green hydrogen can also be used in the process of coal-to-methanol or other chemicals to improve the energy efficiency and environmental friendliness of the entire coal chemical process.

The Hami coal liquefaction project is an important milestone in my country's clean and efficient use of coal. It not only demonstrates my country's independent innovation capabilities in the field of coal liquefaction technology, but will also make important contributions to my country's energy security and economic development. As the project progresses, we have reason to expect that it will provide new impetus for my country's energy structure optimization and economic growth, and contribute to global sustainable development.