http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article.php?a_id=129246
Coal to liquids Sasol making progress on the globalisation of its coal-to-fuels technology Related articles Published: 28 Mar 08 - 0:00 Petrochemicals company Sasols coal-to- liquids (CTL) feasibility studies in China are on track and advancing, international energy cluster GM Lean Strauss has confirmed. We are making progress in China. In December, the board approved a second stage in the feasibility study that we are currently running in China. Moving into the second stage of the feasibility study was supported by the fact that we have [made adequate] progress on the commercial enablers, he added. Owing to huge interest from emerging economic giants, such as China and India, as well as the US, Sasols CTL technology has emerged as a strong contender in the energy sector. The growing interest in CTL stems from coal-rich countries attempting to diversify their transport-fuel mix away from reliance on crude oil imports, and a requirement to guarantee energy security. Sasol CEO Pat Davies visited China in Sep-tember to strengthen ties with that country. An office has also been established in that coun- try, and includes staff members who are CTL specialists. The feasibility study was conducted for projects planned to be undertaken in the Shaanxi and Ningxai provinces, in central China. Sasol plans to construct two plants that will be able to produce 80 000 bbl/d, at an estimated capital cost of $5-billion to $7-billion. Chinas coal, according to Strauss, is of a high quality, and superior to that of South Africa. We expect the feasibility study to be com- pleted at the end of next year, Strauss said. Sasol was also implementing projects in India and the US, but Strauss noted that the opportunities the company was exploring in those countries were still in the prefeasibility stages. The company has established a representative office in India to enable further advancement of CTL in that country, and technical studies are said to be possible only on dedicated coal reserves. Sasol has established at least one CTL plant in India, and a feasibility study has been con- ducted on a proposed 80 000-bl/d CTL plant, which the company says will cost between $6-billion and $8-billion. In the US, Sasol indicates that it is targeting five of that countrys coal-rich states, although Strauss said that capital costs were its main constraints in operating in that country, as it was a high labour-and construction-cost environment. A CTL plant could generate at least 37 000 jobs during the construction period of five years, and over 15 000 jobs could be created during its 25-year lifespan. Edited by: Martin Zhuwakinyu Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com
