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| Gasification of lignite can relieve JK of its fuel woes | | |
Early Times Report
Jammu, May 13: When the government stopped rationing of firewood a few years ago, the people raised a hue and cry.
And with installation of electronic meters by the power development department (PDD), the alternatives available to Kashmiris are kerosene and liquefied cooking gas. While the concerned have failed to ensure ample supply of kerosene to the state, the prices of cooking gas are unaffordable for the commoners. The problem, however, can be solved if the government rises to the occasion, spends some bucks and undertakes gasification of lignite.
The huge reserves of lignite in the state have not been put to proper use till date for unknown reasons. The former minister of state for coal, PA Sangma informed the Lok Sabha on August 6, 1991 about lignite reserves in various states. "In Jammu and Kashmir lignite is found in abundance in Nichahom.
The reserves are around 90 million tones." The minister further said that the, "Lignite deposits have been proved in Nichahom district of Jammu & Kashmir.
The combustion of the lignite has been tested at Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd., Trichy and the possibility of preparing a feasibility report for the installation of 2 X 10 MW Thermal Power Station based on the fluidized bed combustion at Nichahom is being considered." However, more than a decade has passed since the minister talked about a thermal power station in the Valley. Nothing has been done in this regard.
A few years ago, the ONGC and Coal India signed a MoU with the ONGC for gasification of its lignite reserves. According to Economic Times (November 5, 2005) the project can be undertaken at a cost of $ 15.3m (Rs 75 crore). Several states like Gujrat, Maharastra, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu shall benefit from the project.
ONGC has already entered into MoUs with Gujarat Mineral Development Corp, Gujarat Industries Power and Neyveli Lignie Corp for converting unminable coal and lignite reserves into gas.
Gujrat, according to Sangma has 383 million tonnes of lignite. And if only 5% (20 million tones) of the total reserves are gasified, it would yield 200 million standard cubic meters per day of gas for 25 years. However, such a gas will contain only 24% methane compared to 98% in natural gas. Also, it will only have 10-30% of the calorific value of natural gas. (Economic Times: November 5, 2005).
Gujrat is a large state with a huge population. If 20 % of its lignite reserves can produce gas for 25 years, the success of a similar project in Jammu Kashmir can only be imagined.
Underground Coal gasification (UCG), according to Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd, is a process involving converting coal/lignite into combustible gas product.
The process is initiated by drilling two adjacent boreholes into the coal/lignite seam and injecting pressurized oxidants like hot air, oxygen or steam into the seam. The process ignites the seam, which releases combustible gases that can be recovered from the adjacent borehole. The connectivity between the boreholes is made by special linking techniques.
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