Surface gasification technology. gasification of coal for gas and chemical intermediate production has been developed commercially and improvements in technology are being studied in a number of facilities.
In the United States,the purpose of a number of a number of programs has shifted from production of a substitude natural gas (methane)to electric power generation through the integrated gasification-combined-cycle(IGCC)plants.
The interest in this use of coal results from the low emission levels that can be achieved and the potential for higher power generation efficiency.