Partial capture (coal gasification)

Coal gasification is a very mature technology that has been in operation in China for many years for the generation of H2 to be used as a feedstock. It consists of a thermochemical process that transforms coal into syngas (H2, CO, CO2 and other light hydrocarbons) which is then upgraded to maximise H2 and CO proportions. The upgraded syngas is used in a water gas shift process to increase H2 production while transforming CO into CO2, which separates more easily than CO from H2. Finally, CO2 is separated to produce high purity H2. The CO2 separated from H2 can be captured and stored to minimise the carbon footprint of the process. Partial capture is widely used in ammonia production plants where co-production of urea takes place. In addition, two demonstration plants in China are storing CO2 underground for EOR.