POLYGENERATION FOR LIQUIDS AND CHEMICALS FROM LOW-RANK COAL UTILIZATION

摘要

The Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) in North Dakota is examining innovative polygeneration (polygen) systems and regional synergies that can be integrated to sustain low-rank coal utilization in the United States. Similar low-rank coal utilization principles could be applied to other coal-bearing nations such as Australia, Indonesia, and China and other resource holders in the United States. Coal polygen will only work in today's economics if certain synergies exist: an abundant coal resource, a skilled workforce, good feedstock and product logistics, and an already-strong economy to build a next-generation energy complex in western North Dakota. The project utilizes the principles of energy polygen in an industrial complex that incorporates a core coal conversion system that is flexible in ability to accept biomass, shale gas, and other opportunity fuels along with coal. The core complex also has flexibility in product output streams. A polygen system for installation in North Dakota is being conceptualized as a commercial plant, innovative in design and integrated in operation. Based on the low cost of lignite in North Dakota, the unbelievable abundance of natural gas, and the abundance of biomass residues and great potential for biomass energy crops, the polygen complex shows great promise as a world-leading next generation commercial facility with a very low carbon footprint that would produce needed power, diesel fuel, ammonia, methanol, and gasoline. Successful implementation of the proposed project will provide plant design and economic incentive for construction and operation of a model polygen facility.