Can Liquid Coal from Alaska Help the U.S. - 12/01/06

Coal is the U.S.’s largest energy source.  Alaska has about half of the total coal reserves in the U.S.  The burning of raw coal currently generates half of the electricity of the U.S. but burning raw coal creates a large amount of pollutants that cause greenhouse gases and global warming.  Liquid coal or coal-water fuels maybe the answer too many countries searching for a domestic alternative fuel. 

The original technology developed by the German’s in World War II was called the Fischer Trosch process.  The Coal-to-liquid process is cost effective as long as oil stays above $30.00 a barrel which is half the current price.  Large production cost of liquid coal is estimated at $15.00 a barrel.

Alaska’s large coal reserves have an extremely low sulfur content which is great when you want to reduce pollution.  If Alaska has such large reserves why are we not harvesting this home grown energy source?  There are three main reasons one is the cost of extracting.  Where potential coal site are located too many times are far from roads which increase transportation cost.  Also there are not enough resources and capital available to start new mines.

The coal that can be economically strip mined ends up being wet coal.  Wet coal has been considered low grade coal because is has a low heating value.  Wet coal can contain as much as 30% water.  Drying the coal with heat is expensive and can be dangerous. 

The process of hot water drying the coal into liquid coal is the answer.  The coal is heated to high temperatures in water at high pressure. 

Liquefying coal could lower the cost of transportation because the energy is liquid and can be transported by pipeline. 

China is leading the way by investing billions in new liquid coal plants using the Sasol technology which is an advanced form of the Fischer Trosch process.  This process not only liquefies the coal it removes sulfur, ash and other pollutants.  The U.S. must look at alternative form of energy domestically to claim its energy independence.

More About Liquid Coal:
Liquid Coal as Transportation Fuel
Liquid Coal a Petroleum Substitute
China Leads the Way Coal-to-Liquid Production

Back to the Resources Page