Coal Gasifiers Association of India Highlights Sector Potential at International Conference in Bhubaneswar
The Coal Gasifiers Association of India recently hosted an international conference titled “Challenges, Opportunities and New Technologies in Coal Gasification” in Bhubaneswar, outlining a practical pathway for expanding coal gasification infrastructure across the country. The gathering emphasized using domestic coal reserves and government financial assistance to foster national self-reliance in strategic sectors.
What Happened
The industry summit brought together public and private sector leaders to assess the commercial viability and technological advancements in coal gasification. The event was held in the context of policy support from the Ministry of Coal, specifically initiatives under the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme designed to encourage investment in gasification projects.
The event drew broad participation from major energy and mining corporations, including Coal India, Mahanadi Coalfields, Southeastern Coalfields, GAIL, NTPC, and Jindal Steel. International participation included technical experts from Canada and official delegations from Sri Lanka.
Key dignitaries at the summit included Asit Tripathy, former Chief Secretary of Odisha, who served as Chief Guest; Sanjay Singh, Advisor to Jindal Steel and President of the Coal Gasifiers Association of India; Dr. A.K. Balyan, General Secretary; Kapil Dhagat, Vice-President and coal gasification expert; and R.K. Singhal, Director of Business Development at GAIL.
Key Highlights
- Technical Solutions for Domestic Coal: More than 25 expert speakers presented papers detailing engineering methods to process high-ash Indian coal and convert it into strategic chemicals, helping curb foreign import reliance.
- Alignment with National Goals: Representatives from NTPC and Jindal Steel detailed corporate initiatives designed to support the Atmanirbhar Bharat framework.
- Field Demonstration: Delegates visited Jindal Steel’s Angul facility, observing India’s first Coal Gasification-based Direct Reduced Iron (CGP-DRI) plant for steelmaking.
- Modern Infrastructure: The Angul plant visit showcased operational practices, including the country’s largest blast furnace and ongoing facility expansions.
Why This Matters
India possesses substantial domestic coal reserves. Converting domestic coal into synthetic gas and downstream industrial chemicals allows domestic industries to lower their dependence on imported commodities. Furthermore, applying coal gasification technology to steel production—as demonstrated by the CGP-DRI facility at Angul—offers an alternative industrial route for utilizing domestic resources while focusing on modern efficiency standards.
What to Watch Next
Following the discussions in Bhubaneswar, attention turns to the practical implementation of projects supported by the Ministry of Coal’s Viability Gap Funding scheme. Industry observers will also monitor the continued deployment of technologies designed to handle high-ash coal feedstock and the integration of advanced systems within ongoing plant expansions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the main focus of the Bhubaneswar conference?
Organized by the Coal Gasifiers Association of India, the conference addressed new technologies, operational challenges, and commercial opportunities in coal gasification, with a particular focus on utilizing high-ash Indian coal.
What government support was highlighted at the event?
Discussions highlighted financial assistance and policy backing from the Ministry of Coal under the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme.
Why is Jindal Steel’s Angul plant significant to the gasification sector?
The Angul plant houses India’s first Coal Gasification-based Direct Reduced Iron (CGP-DRI) facility, demonstrating the use of gasified coal directly in steel manufacturing.
Source: indiawhispers.com