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APS is working with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to develop a process to manufacture substitute natural gas (SNG) via a carbon hydro-gasification process. This is a multi-phase project in which the hydro-gasification process will be modeled and ultimately demonstrated. The source of carbon for the process can be coal or a bio-source such as the algae described in the Emissions to Biofuels Project section.
A world-class team of participants assembled to undertake this project with APS, including national laboratories organizations such as Nexant, Air Products, BHP, Worley Parsons, the Gas Technology Institute, and NETL and utilities such as Sempra Energy and San Diego Gas & Electric. The ultimate aim of this project is to enable the continued use of the current natural-gas fuel infrastructure using substitute natural gas made from other fossil or renewable fuel sources. This five-year effort is aimed at developing an economical process to produce pipeline-quality substitute natural gas from coal and bringing a measure of stability to natural gas prices in the West. The pilot holds the promise of utilizing America's abundant coal resources while decreasing environmental impacts. The system has the potential to produce SNG below the projected market price for natural gas, while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The Coal to Substitute Natural Gas Project will "gasify" coal into natural gas and is being designed to decrease and control greenhouse gas emissions. This includes the management of carbon associated with the use of burning coal in the production of electricity. In addition, the gasification process will use significantly less water than most coal operations.
Unlike traditional gasification projects, which inject oxygen into coal under pressure, the APS project will use hydrogen to react with highly pressured coal to produce a methane-rich gas. It then will undergo a clean-up process before finally being injected into existing natural gas pipelines. This process will maximize the use of carbon in coal, while minimizing the production of carbon dioxide. The goal is a highly efficient fuel production facility with zero emissions.
Phase one of this project has been completed: samples of coals from the Arizona area have been analyzed, and the conditions required to achieve the hydro-gasification process have been modeled. We now in phase two. The first hydrogasifier test reactor, called a BSRX, has been designed and work toward implementation will continue.
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