That is interesting. As Dave noted, the initial gut reaction is that it sounds too good to be true. I have seen many presentations at industry conferences that promise some new technology has solved all the problems that have stymied a lot of very smart people before. It is interesting, though, and I plan to dig deeper.
The presence of over 440 years of coal reserves (at current use levels) in the ground in the U.S. makes this sort of thing huge (if it works). Also, the sooner it can come online, the better because many coal mining operations stare closures in the eye as utilities shut down their coal-fired facilities. If a process like this can open up a new market, it could save mines. Getting new mines to open requires a lot of dollars.
Yes, that occurred to me too. It does sound too good to be true. When the CEO was asked why one of the big oil companies hadn’t already done this, his answer was that the inventor of the process used to work for big oil. According to him, they knew how to frack coal, but only in individual batches, which wasn’t profitable. What’s new, according to him, is the ability (patented) to make the process continuous. The energy input to get the refining process started is reduced to near zero once it becomes self-sustaining and continuous. It may be a couple years before we find out if he’s right. Their first plant is still in the engineering and fund-raising stage.
That is interesting. As Dave noted, the initial gut reaction is that it sounds too good to be true. I have seen many presentations at industry conferences that promise some new technology has solved all the problems that have stymied a lot of very smart people before. It is interesting, though, and I plan to dig deeper.
The presence of over 440 years of coal reserves (at current use levels) in the ground in the U.S. makes this sort of thing huge (if it works). Also, the sooner it can come online, the better because many coal mining operations stare closures in the eye as utilities shut down their coal-fired facilities. If a process like this can open up a new market, it could save mines. Getting new mines to open requires a lot of dollars.
I plan to keep digging also. Stay in touch if you find out more on this.
My thoughts are it sounds too good to be true. Why wouldn’t a major player in energy buy them and fold it in to their operation?
Yes, that occurred to me too. It does sound too good to be true. When the CEO was asked why one of the big oil companies hadn’t already done this, his answer was that the inventor of the process used to work for big oil. According to him, they knew how to frack coal, but only in individual batches, which wasn’t profitable. What’s new, according to him, is the ability (patented) to make the process continuous. The energy input to get the refining process started is reduced to near zero once it becomes self-sustaining and continuous. It may be a couple years before we find out if he’s right. Their first plant is still in the engineering and fund-raising stage.
It will certainly be incredible if it works as intended.
Interesting.