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B9 Coal is working on combining Alkaline Hydrogen Fuel Cells with Underground Coal Gasification (UCG)to make 47% efficient coal power that has carbon capture and sequestering (versus 26% efficient with carbon capture at current plants and 28% with carbon capture at IGCC plants) [12 page pdf] (H/T David Martin] Coal power will still be used for decades so this combination of technologies looks like the cleanest and most efficient approach to using coal. The process can also be used for cogeneration so that more thermal efficiency can be achieved.
A 500 megawatt (MW) project is being put forward for the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) CCS demonstration competition. Rio Tinto Alcan’s Lynemouth Plant in Northumberland has been announced as a potential site for the plant.
The project will offer greatly enhanced efficiency conversion of coal to electricity, whilst enabling about 99% carbon capture. AFC Energy’s alkaline fuel cells convert hydrogen to electricity at 60% efficiency and, when combined with UCG, can provide a projected cost per kWh of as low as 4p (US$0.06), according to B9.
IGCC plants with Carbon Capture get 90% carbon captured but causes a reduction of 25% efficiency and an increased capital expenditure of 47%.
•The B9 Coal UCG and Fuel Cell process REQUIRES the Carbon Dioxide to be separated from the hydrogen
•Carbon Capture is therefore a FREE by-product of the B9 Coal Process and enables 99% carbon caputre
UCG does not require an external water source to operate, exhibiting a major
environmental advantage over water-intensive coal mining operations and
pulverised-coal-fired energy production methods.
UCG eliminates the need for mining, therefore the effects on the landscape,
local wildlife and the hazardous nature of coal mining are virtually eliminated
• Harmful green house gasses such as Sulphur Dioxide and Nitrogen Oxide are
dramatically reduced and no solid waste byproducts ( such as coal ash and
waste rock) are brought to the surface.
Technical Milestones
•Design and build 50kW fuel cell system – Q3 2010
•Field test 50kW fuel cell system – Q1 2011
•Multiple MW systems commercially available – Q3 2012
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Brian Wang is a Futurist Thought Leader and a popular Science blogger with 1 million readers per month. His blog Nextbigfuture.com is ranked #1 Science News Blog. It covers many disruptive technology and trends including Space, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Anti-aging Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology.
Known for identifying cutting edge technologies, he is currently a Co-Founder of a startup and fundraiser for high potential early-stage companies. He is the Head of Research for Allocations for deep technology investments and an Angel Investor at Space Angels.
A frequent speaker at corporations, he has been a TEDx speaker, a Singularity University speaker and guest at numerous interviews for radio and podcasts. He is open to public speaking and advising engagements.