What is the future of coal chemical technology?
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I’m a newcomer to the field of coal chemical engineering. I feel that this industry isn’t very stable. Coal is a non-renewable resource, and I wonder if there is any future for it given that projects related to it are being built all over the country these days
Oh, as of now, the prospects seem pretty good. What major are you in?
At present, the reserves of coal resources in our country are not optimistic. According to figures released by the International Energy Agency in 2002, China’s recoverable coal reserves amount to 284.6 billion tons, ranking it third in the world. Given the current tight supply and demand situation for oil, developing coal-based chemicals as a substitute for some of the oil used is a good solution. For example, dimethyl ether and methanol can be used as substitutes for gasoline and diesel, and biodiesel can also be developed. As an industry based on coal chemistry, it should be considered a growing sector in China, and it won’t be possible to replace it within 30 to 50 years; there’s no need to worry about that.