Scientists in Italy are reporting that a new process could eliminate key obstacles to expanded use of coal gasification to transform that abundant domestic energy resource into synthetic liquid fuels for cars and trucks. The study is scheduled for the November 19 issue of ACS' bi-monthly journal, Energy & Fuels.

There is a growing consensus that increased demand for electricity will cement coal’s place in the energy portfolio for years to come. In fact, more than half of the electricity produced in the United States comes from coal.

Siemens Power Generation (PG) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Secure Energy, Inc. to supply two Siemens entrained-flow gasifiers, including gasifier island design packages for the Secure Energy Gasification Plant in Decatur, Illinois. The gasifiers will have a thermal capacity of 500 megawatts (MWth) each.

Scientists in China are reporting an advance in clean-coal technology that could substantially reduce the cost of producing clean-burning fuels from underground deposits of coal.