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Research and Development (R&D) Projects
Coal is one of the most critical domestic mineral resources of our country. Developing and implementing new coal technologies is vital to reduce dependence on foreign energy sources and contribute to the national economy with local coal production. In this context, there have been multiple R&D and innovation projects for the usage and production of coal carried out by TKI in recent years. Many of these projects to evaluate the local coal resources are performed with various TUBITAK-supported programs.
The reasons for conducting R&D and Innovation Activities in Turkey related to coal:
- Poor quality of our coal reserves (lower heating value, i.e. net calorific value, high ash, moisture, and sulfur content)
- Coal as the most critical domestic energy source of our country
- Reducing dependence on foreign energy sources
- International agreements that our country is obliged to comply with (Kyoto Protocol, complying with the EU environmental legislation with Paris Agreement)
- Increasing the amount of energy produced per unit calorie
- Pressure based on national environmental regulations
- Increasing efficiency and added value
- Ensuring customer satisfaction.
For this purpose, multiple R&D activities and projects concerning clean coal technologies are conducted continuously with various national and international research institutions and universities. Within the scope of the high technology R&D activities that intend to improve the combustion efficiency of coal while reducing its environmental impact, varying research topics mainly on coal preparation and enrichment, gasification of coal, gas purification, chemical and liquid fuel production, coal combustion, coal mining, exploration of coal resources, and different utilization areas of coal (humic acid) are investigated and studied continuously.
Project on Liquid Fuel and Wax Production from Biomass and Coal Mixtures (TRİJEN)
In cooperation with TUBITAK-MAM and TKI, a fluidized-bed type pilot plant with 1.1 MWth thermal power and 250 kg/h fuel feeding rate was built in the Soma Site of ELI Directorate to turn coal and biomass mixtures into liquid fuel by gasification. Financial support for the plant, where TKI and EIGM were entitled as customer institutions, was provided from TUBITAK KAMAG.
Trigen gasification plant, designed as a circulating fluidized bed gasifier system to contribute to Turkey's independence in the field of energy, and gathering four different advanced technologies under a single roof, is the first pilot-scale gasification plant in the country’s history that can make production with the systems of gas purification, gas conditioning, and liquid fuel. With these studies, coal, which starts its journey in mines, is transformed into a technological breakthrough that might contribute to different industries from energy to chemistry and from the machinery sector to mining.
In this plant established in 2016, wax as a valuable by-product (synthetic wax) priced 1.45 $/kg in the market was also obtained with producing synthetic liquid fuel after removing harmful gases by the production of synthesis gas first, conditioning the gas, capturing the resultant CO2 matter, and developing proper Fischer Tropsch catalysts.
Considering the data obtained from the R&D research performed in the pilot plant within the body of ELI Directorate, it is expected in the near future to increase the added value of coal substantially and produce extremely clean products by reducing emission and contamination values by 99 percent and capturing of carbon dioxide. By building up a plant with a liquid fuel production capacity of 26,000 barrels per day, it will be possible to reduce the current annual deficit of the country by 750 million USD.
TRIJEN Pilot Plant, ELI/Soma/MANİSA
TKI Tuncbilek Coal Gasification Plant, Methanol and/or Electricity Production (Cogeneration) Project
Tuncbilek Coal Gasification Plant, GLI/Tuncbilek/KUTAHYA
Intending to produce electricity and heat with high added-value chemicals produced domestically from our lignite reserves, TKI is bound and determined to minimize our country's dependence on foreign energy resources.
In this context, a pilot gasification plant was established in 2012 in the Tuncbilek site of GLI Directorate with the cooperation of TKI and TUBITAK MAM. The plant is built in the type of moving bed gasifier, which is a commonly observed gasifier type globally. Its installation capacity and thermal powers are 250 kg/h coal and 1.1 MWth, respectively.
Some studies were conducted in this pilot gasification plant located in the Tuncbilek for coal gasification from different sites and purification of the obtained gas. The plant was commissioned after providing the synthesis gas production and gas purification units, gas engine, and the materials required to produce electricity and heat (cogeneration).
Project planning and detailed design stages related to methanol production were completed, and all preparations required for the tender process were finalized.
Project on the Recovery of Fine Size Coals
For improving the coal quality, some R&D studies are performed to recover fine-size coal, treated as waste and appearing in the washing plants established by TKI. The study outcomes are applied successfully, ensuring that fine-size coals contribute to the national economy.
In this content, fine-size coal recovery plants were established first in Omerler and Tuncbilek coal washing plants of GLI Directorate and then in Derekoy washing plant of ELI Directorate. These units helped to recover 1.86 million tonnes of coal between 2010 and 2021, resulting in a total of 180 million TL revenue.
Project for Development of Coal Additives for Desulphurization and Increasing Calorific Value
Under the scope of the project carried out by the agreement signed between TKI and TUBITAK MAM, it aimed to develop a special mixture for desulphurizing coal and increasing its calorific value, and investigate the mixture’s effectiveness by applying to lignite coal. The composition and application conditions of the mixture developed within the project will be optimized. Under the scope, some studies were performed to determine the proportions of chemicals in the mixture capable of both desulphurization and improving calorific value, reveal the mixture preparation conditions (mixing speed and requirement of additive agents), and specify the particle size distribution of coal to be implemented and the additional mixture rate.
Project for Beneficiation of TKI Lignite and Coal Slime by Mechanical Dewatering
This project intends mechanical dewatering of lignite produced in the license areas of TKI and coal slimes appearing in the washing plants in these areas, using a developed extruder system. Accordingly, it is aimed to raise the calorific value and increase the utilization area and economic value of coal. The project is still ongoing.
Project for Investigation of Spontaneous Combustion Incidents During Stockpiling of Coal Produced at the Surface Mines of TKI-ÇLI Directorate, and Determination of Coal Storage Criteria
This project investigates spontaneous combustion incidents in the stockpiling phase of coal produced in the surface mines of ÇLI before feeding to the thermal plant and determines coal storage criteria. Coal samples collected from the site stockpiles were evaluated and measured according to their susceptibility to spontaneous combustion. In addition, instantaneous temperature changes in the stocks were examined for 100 days via thermochips located in different parts of the stockpiles.
