Road for China's Coal-Based Chemicals Industry    

There is a huge controversy over the development of coal-based chemicals in China's chemical industry. That's because when people mentioned low carbon economy, they were to mention carbon emission, which however contrasts with the development of the coal-based chemicals sector.
   The coal-based chemicals sector will definitely become an integral part of China's energy supply system for both now and future, a chemical industry expert said. China is rich in coal but short of oil and gas. This situation requires the nation to rely on coal and better utilize it. It is an important topic for China to develop coal-based chemicals and oil products industry. The development of coal-based chemicals therefore is of strategic importance to China.
   The Chinese government has for long included the research, development and industrialization of the coal-based chemicals business into the nation's mid- and long-term development planning. The central government in 2006 said it would support qualified regions to develop large-scale coal-based methanol and dimethyl ether (DME) manufacturing bases with advanced coal gasification technology and the two-step DME synthesis technology. These demonstrative projects are to meet the needs of the domestic fuels and oil products markets. Meanwhile, the government is also cautious, stressing that the coal-based chemicals sector should "control the total capacity, eliminate the outdated capacity, and definitely say no to blind development." That's because the coal-based chemicals industry in China is currently still in a low level, which requires it to avoid waste in resource and oversupply in capacity. On the other hand, many high-end technologies need huge spending and the advanced processes are not good enough and still in the demonstrative stage. If you look at the development trends, there is a controversy in how big the domestic coal-based chemicals sector should be developed to. China's coal-based chemicals sector must adopt the low-carbon economic development mode featuring low-energy consumption, no pollution and emission, and high resource utilization.
   Experts also warned companies engaged in coal-based chemicals production - which usually first have to consider resources - should first consider carbon emission issues now. These companies should adopt economic development methods - high-efficiency, low-energy consumption, no emission and pollution - that are based on the affordability of the environment and resources. They have to utilize and better treat carbon dioxide by advanced technology so that carbon dioxide could reuse. Also, they should try to improve the level of carbon capture and storage and other carbon dioxide treatment technology, so that the costs could be lowered for commercialization.
   China first needs to command mature industrialized technology for developing coal-based chemicals industry, in particular the modern coal-based chemicals industry. At present China has not fully mastered the whole set of technology in modern coal-based chemicals production. Secondly China has to make good planning in accordance with the expected demand and considering the affordability of the environment and resources. Also the nation should do a good job in environmental protection, such as the control and treatment of wastes (waste gas, waste water and industrial residue) and the utilization and treatment of carbon dioxide.
   Experts have made it clear that there are ways for carbon emission reduction during the whole process of coal uses, such as the increases of coal gasification efficiency, catalyst efficiency and pump efficiency, the reuse of waste heat as well as the better arrangement in production process.
   The development of new type coal-based chemicals industry has been unfolding. As technology advances, there will be progress in many fields such as the upgrades of catalysts, higher conversion efficiency of coal and better technology in carbon dioxide utilization and treatment.