K&A Coal-to-Chemicals UCG Strategy Platform
(Integrated pre-feasibility screening)
Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) and Surface Coal Gasification (SCG) share certain similarities, but they require fundamentally different project evaluation frameworks.
The upstream process of producing raw syngas is radically different between the two technologies, involving distinct engineering, capital deployment and operating philosophies.
Downstream pathways may appear similar because both routes can produce Methanol, Ammonia, Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG), Fischer–Tropsch Liquids, Acetic Acid and numerous other chemicals and fuels.
However, the similarity largely ends at chemistry. The strategic, financial and accounting implications remain significantly different. Strategies that are optimal for Surface Coal Gasification are not necessarily optimal for Underground Coal Gasification.
The K&A UCG Strategy Platform has therefore been developed as an independent set of product-specific UCG models. A simple modification of the Surface Coal Gasification platform would not adequately capture the distinct engineering, financial, accounting and strategic considerations of UCG.
Product Coverage
The UCG Strategy Platform covers the eligible downstream product pathways currently included within the K&A Coal-to-Chemicals Platform.
The links below provide direct access to the respective UCG input pages.
- Acetic Acid
- Ammonia
- Ammonium Nitrate
- Ammonium Sulphate
- Chloromethanes
- Diesel
- Di Methyl Ether (DME)
- Direct Reduced Iron (DRI)
- Ethanol
- Formaldehyde
- Hydrogen
- Power (through IGCC) / Combined Heat and Power (CHP)
- Methanol
- Methyl Methacrylate: (MMA Alpha) / (MMA Isobutylene)
- Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE)
- Olefins
- Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
Not mapped, we do not believe SAF can be produced through UCG - Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG)
- Urea