Scoping Study
Development of Coking/Coal Gasification Concept to Use Indiana
Coal for the Production of Metallurgical Coke and Bulk Electric Power
Final Report
December 15, 2005
Submitted by
Robert Kramer, Ph.D.
Director, Energy Efficiency and Reliability Center
Purdue University Calumet
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Table of Contents
Page
Executive Summary ………………………………………………..…………… 3
List of Figures …………………………………………………………………… 5
List of Tables ……………………………………………………………………. 6
Introduction ……………………………………………………………………… 7
Importance to Indiana Coal Use ……………………………………………… 21
Relevance to Previous Studies ………………………………………………. 24
Policy, Scientific and Technical Barriers …………………………………….. 33
Additional Resources Required ………………………………………………. 34
Research Plan ………………………………………………………………….. 36
Potential Sources of Matching Funding ……………………………………… 42
Conclusion ………………………………………………………………………. 43
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Executive Summary
Although coke is an absolutely essential part of iron making and foundry
processes, currently there is a shortfall of 5.50 million tons of coke per year in the
United States. The current shortfall of this critical raw material is being filled by
imports, mainly from China and, to a lesser extent, from Japan. The result of the
shortfall internationally has been that recent coke prices have risen sharply. For
example, coke delivered FOB to a Chinese port in January 2004 was priced at
$60/ton, but rose to $420/ton in March 2004 and in September 2004 was
$220/ton. This makes clear the likelihood that prices will remain high with
considerable volatility.
The significant shortfall of needed coke has placed an enormous strain on
Indiana’s steel industries. A resolution and/or mitigation of this formidable
problem through the use of Indiana coal in a mine mouth, environmentally
friendly, high efficiency coking/coal gasification facility which would increase coke
supply and production, whi