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New Technologies for the Utilization of Gasification Slag in Future Energy Development Author/Source: Sinochem New Network Date: November 15, 2022 Clicks: 20. A few days ago, the “Research, Application, and Demonstration of Functional Gasification Slag” project, developed in collaboration between Shandong Energy Group Shaanxi Future Energy Chemical Co., Ltd. and other relevant parties, completed its experimental setup and trial operation, entering the phase of actual production testing. This technology will provide support and a model for the harmless, environmentally friendly, and resource-efficient treatment of gasification slag. “Based on the concept of \"using waste to manage waste,\" this project utilizes bio-activation techniques to modify gasification slag, converting it into a carbon-based soil conditioner for the improvement and restoration of soil in sandy and desert areas. ”Gao Yulin, deputy chief engineer of Future Energy and head of the Safety and Environmental Protection Department, explained that the research and application demonstration project on functional gasification slag is one of the key projects under Shandong Energy and Future Energy Company’s science and technology plan; it is also an environmental protection project that the company focused on advancing in 2022. It is understood that gasification slag is waste residue generated during the production process in gasification furnaces; it contains carbon that has not been gasified, heavy metals, as well as fine particles. If not properly treated, it can cause significant damage and pollution to soil, water bodies, and the atmosphere. In recent years, with the rapid development of the coal chemical industry, a large amount of coal gasification slag has been generated. How to eliminate waste pollution, achieve scientific disposal, and turn waste into resources has become an important issue for the sustainable development of the coal chemical industry. As early as 2019, Future Energy, together with the Key Laboratory for Ecological Restoration in the Northern Shaanxi Mining Area at Yulin University, and the Engineering Technology Research Center for the Resource Utilization of Gasification Slag in Yulin City, worked together to research related technologies. Professor Kang Furen from Yulin University, who is in charge of this experimental project, explained that the carbon-based soil conditioner made from gasification slag is prepared by using gasification slag as the main raw material, combining it with agricultural waste, and then undergoing biological activation and acidification processes. The innovation of this technology lies in using functional microorganisms in combination with bioactive substances to biologically activate and modify solid waste, thereby meeting the standards for harmless treatment. The project also incorporates the ‘texture theory’ from soil science and the ‘soil testing and formula formulation theory’ from agronomy. After treating the gasification slag to render it harmless, it is used to create soil conditioners. Taking advantage of the high specific surface area and large porosity of the modified gasification slag, its capabilities in retaining water, nutrients, and heat are fully utilized for the improvement of saline-alkali soils, the remediation of sandy lands, and the ecological restoration of mining areas. “Future Energy adheres to the concepts of sustainable and green development, strengthens cooperation among industry, academia, and research institutions, and vigorously promotes research on and demonstration projects for the functional applications of gasification slag. After 1 year of operational testing, project acceptance is expected to be completed by next October. ”Liu Yongbing, the chief engineer for future energy, said that efforts will be continued to strengthen scientific research and validation, to improve experimental methods, and to actively seek solutions to the challenges related to the sustainable utilization of gasification slag, thereby setting new examples for the sustainable development of the coal chemical industry. It is reported that the Functional Research and Application Demonstration Project on Gasified Slag of Future Energy Company covers an area of 4,000 square meters. It is divided into a sandland greening experiment area, an integrated prevention and control experiment area for wind erosion using irrigation, grass, and crust formation, a sandland germplasm resource experiment area, and a demonstration area for soil improvement and vegetation system establishment. It is located in the solid waste disposal area to the east of Future Energy’s coal-to-oil project. After the project is implemented, bulk solid waste will be integrated with the management of sandy lands, thereby accelerating the rate of vegetation regrowth in those areas and improving the efficiency with which plants recover their green color after winter. This approach will enable the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions through the effective use of gasification residues, while also contributing to the restoration of vegetation in sandy ecosystems and thus increasing carbon sequestration. It achieves a win-win outcome: the resource utilization of gasification waste residues and the protection of the ecological environment.