Texas Lignite Technology Development Priorities over the Next Twenty-Five Years

摘要

The following conclusions were stated: Essentially all future use of Texas lignite will be accomplished through the use of four technologies: pulverized coal combustion, atmospheric fluidized bed combustion, medium Btu gasification and in situ gasification. The bulk of lignite use over the next twenty-five years is expected to occur in the electric utility industry through the use of existing pulverized coal technology. Of the remaining three technologies, atmospheric fluidized bed combustion has the greatest potential energy impact. Major constraints to its commercial use are technical and economic uncertainties regarding its scale-up to utility size operations and unproven reliability. The development of medium Btu gasification depends significantly on pricing policies for and supplies of natural gas. The major market for medium Btu gas will be in the state's industrial coastal zone. Technologies for the recovery of deep basin lignite will become increasingly important after 1990. However, current knowledge of these processes are inadequate to estimate the potential for their successful development. Environmental control research with regard to air emissions and solid waste deserve further attention. Development of lignite beneficiation technologies may be important as an alternative to total reliance on stack gas controls. (ERA citation 09:005736)