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How can synthesis gas from coal be used to produce electricity?

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coal utilization Cross-regenerative coke oven. (A) Cross section, showing the alternating arrangement of flue walls and ovens; (B) longitudinal section, showing (left) a series of combustion flues in a single flue wall and (right) part of a long, slotlike oven.

Synthesis gas (syngas) produced from coal can be utilized to generate electricity through a process known as the Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC).1

In this method, coal is first converted into syngas—a combustible mixture primarily composed of hydrogen and carbon monoxide—through a gasification process. Once the syngas is produced and cleansed of impurities like coal tar, it is burned to produce high-temperature combustion gases.21

These gases are used to drive a gas turbine for power generation. The exhaust from this turbine is then captured and used to generate steam, which powers a conventional steam turbine. By combining both gas and steam turbines, this cycle significantly improves the efficiency of energy conversion compared to traditional coal combustion methods. Additionally, clean syngas can be burned similarly to natural gas by utility companies to produce electricity.12