Chinese coal-to-gas catalyst could ease reliance on foreign tech, researchers say

New catalyst fills gap in domestic natural gas production process, helping to ensure stable and sustainable supply, says engineer involved in project

The development comes as the world faces an energy crisis triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

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A coal-to-gas project in Xinjiang autonomous region has adopted new technology to make natural gas production more efficient, according to a recent report. Photo: CNOOC

Published: 6:00pm, 14 Aug 2022Updated: 10:13pm, 14 Aug 2022

Engineers in China say they have achieved a technological breakthrough in converting coal to natural gas that could end the country’s reliance on imported technology and help ensure its energy security.

Methanation, a process for converting carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide to methane, is a crucial step in turning coal into natural gas. China has long relied on foreign technology to complete the process.

However, a new catalyst developed by the CNOOC Gas and Power Group – a subsidiary of offshore oil and gas producer China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) – and the Southwest Research and Design Institute of the Chemical Industry eliminates the need for technology from abroad, the engineers say.

“[The catalyst] has achieved localisation of the whole industrial chain and filled the gap in the domestic industry. It’s of great significance to the sustainable and stable supply of natural gas and to ensure energy security,” Hou Jianguo, deputy chief engineer at CNOOC Gas and Power Group, was quoted as saying in a report by Science and Technology Daily on Monday.

The catalyst increased the methane concentration at a coal-to-gas project in Xinjiang to 61.7 per cent, 3 percentage points higher than when using imported technology, according to the report. A higher methane concentration means more efficient production of natural gas.

So far, the technology is limited to the Xinjiang project but there are plans to expand its use.

China’s breakthrough comes as the country promotes coal to ensure energy security while the world faces an energy crisis triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

China is the world’s largest producer and consumer of coal, accounting for more than half of global consumption since 2011. Three-quarters of the nation’s coal reserves are in northern and northwestern regions, including Xinjiang, Shanxi, Shaanxi and Inner Mongolia.

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