CO₂ reduction potential of coal-to-liquids (CTL) plants

Coal-to-liquids (CTL) processes generate synthetic liquid fuels like gasoline and diesel fuel from coal. One main concern of coal liquids, however, is the large emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂ ) from the CTL process. These emissions can be mitigated using carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) technology. A comprehensive techno-economic assessment model of liquids-only and poly-generation (producing liquid fuels plus electricity) CTL plants, capable of incorporating CCS is developed. To account for inherent uncertainties and variability, ranges and probability distributions are given to different cost parameters. Finally, the capability of a poly-generation CTL plant in mitigating CO₂ emissions by displacing conventional coal-fired power plants while producing liquid fuels is also investigated.