High Ash Coal Could be Converted into Methanol: NITI Aayog

The apex think-tank of the Government of India (GoI)—NITI Aayog—has formulated a policy that will put high ash Non Coking Coal into profitable usage. High ash coal is regarded as low quality as it is unfit for power generation.

The policy involves promotion of coal gasification to produce Methanol from coal with high ash content. Methanol has a variety of end-uses, including as fuel for transportation and cooking. The conversion of coal into Methanol will also help in lowering the imports of petroleum-based fuels that will cut the country’s import bill.

In India, coal in several mines in West Bengal, Odisha and Jharkhand is characterized by excessive ash content that renders the coal unfit for usage in power plants. This kind of coal could be put to productive usage by converting into Methanol.

Coal India Limited is likely to set-up a Coal-to-Methanol plant in West Bengal.