Linc opens demo CTL plant

Australia’s Linc Energy Ltd. on April 24 officially opened what it calls the “world’s first coal-to-liquids (CTL) demonstration plant to use underground coal gasification (UCG) technology.” The plant, near Chinchilla in Queensland, produces clean synthetic diesel and jet fuel from synthesis gas sourced from deep underground coal reserves. The Australian government touted the plant as extremely beneficial, as technologies that convert coal and gas to ultra-clean diesel and jet fuel have the potential to replace Australia’s declining oil reserves and make it self-sufficient in liquid transport fuels. The government also said it is encouraging the development of coal-to-liquids in Australia through its election commitment to use the A$500 million (US$374.55 million) National Low Emissions Coal Fund to support projects that generate minimal carbon emissions while utilizing the country’s extensive coal resources. (April 29, 2009)