Coal Gasification

Dirty Secret: Coal Plants Could Be Much Cleaner
By KENNETH J. STIER
Published: May 22, 2005
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/22/business/yourmoney/22coal.html?

Good article about becoming locked into antiquated technology due to insufficient regulation now. The real value of the Article lies in it's statement that 'stripping' carbon and greenhouse elements from fuel is cheaper than scrubbing exhaust to rid of pollutant gases. The benefits of the Gasification of Coal process consist of using about 15% less fuel to produce the same energy as Coal emission technologies. The Downside lay in the fact that Coal Gasification technology is much more expensive than stated in the Article, and current Costs of Coal production are such that it would take almost 6 Years at current Coal prices of Production to equalize Production Costs with Construction Costs added. Heavy industrial Production plant construction has gone up drastically, since the Pilot plant was built.

The Author would feel greater regret, except he does not believe Coal Gasification is the Answer. He has always favored a cheap, artificial, plastic fuel (low-grade plastic explosive) which could be produced as cheaply as the current Oil refining process--including Supply components. People may be disturbed by mention of plastic explosives, but almost all such plastics are harder to ignite than Gasoline, and could be safer overall than diesel. lgl