STAFF REPORT IBD: Clean coal technologies are rapidly becoming a viable source of alternative energy and these particular technologies can stem environmental concerns of using coal on long term bases as the same would benefit Pakistan immensely, speakers expressed these views during a colloquium recently arranged at the NUST.
NUST Science Societys key initiative of the Techtalk-Clean Coal Technologies is to increase public awareness and acceptance of the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions through the use of low emission, clean coal technologies.
The speakers included Dr. Ashraf Tahir and Engr. Shahid Ansari from the School of Chemical and Materials Engineering, NUST.
According to them, coal is the dirtiest of all fossil fuels. When burned, it releases carbon dioxide and other emissions in flue gas. Gasification avoids burning coal altogether. The resulting syngas is then cleaned and burned in a gas turbine to make electricity.
They said that with coal playing a key role in Pakistans energy mix, low emissions coal technology may become an option in the long-term.