Coal gasification

The Australian firm GTL Energy has been selected to deliver its coal beneficiation technology for a coal-gasification plant in southwest North Dakota.

The so-called $1.4bn South Heart project is being developed through a joint venture between project partners Great Northern Power Development (GNPD) and Allied Syngas. It will use North Dakota lignite and seven gasifiers to produce up to 100mmcf/day of pipeline quality natural gas that potentially will be used in-state or sold nationwide.

Coal beneficiation is the process of upgrading the coal, such as North Dakota’s lignite, prior to the gasification process, making it a more efficient energy source with reduced emissions. In addition, removing the excess water from the lignite creates an alternative source of water, lessening the need from other sources.

GTL Energy’s proprietary process is a low temperature beneficiating technology which has been thoroughly tested on coals from around the world. This technology will produce stable briquettes with less moisture and higher energy content from the South Heart lignite.