Texas University turns coal into gas

[Joe 1320]

hmmm.......

http://www.globalpetroleumclub.com/t...oment-coal-gas

[FroSSty]

Sounds like an awesome plan but is it too good to be true?

[Steel2686]

Even if it's possible for mainstream use, no way the oil industry let's this fly.

Good find, Joe.

[sneitzel]

Even if it's possible for mainstream use, no way the oil industry let's this fly.

Not necessarily true.
From the article, "...they have developed a clean way to turn the cheapest kind of coal - lignite, common in Texas - into synthetic crude..."
Crude is the starting product and there is still PLENTY of money in refining and selling fuel. Just look at how the oil industry is embracing EtOH and Bio right now.
If the govt offered a tax break or an RFS credit like they do for EtOH they, (oil companies) would be all over it.

[Steel2686]

Not necessarily true.
From the article, "...they have developed a clean way to turn the cheapest kind of coal - lignite, common in Texas - into synthetic crude..."
Crude is the starting product and there is still PLENTY of money in refining and selling fuel. Just look at how the oil industry is embracing EtOH and Bio right now.
If the govt offered a tax break or an RFS credit like they do for EtOH they, (oil companies) would be all over it.

Good find and I agree, but if OPEC had their hands in anything to do with this, would gas prices be any cheaper? I can't see it. I think that's where my fears begin and end. OPEC.

[Wild Willy]

I think Germany was doing this back in WW II- they had real problems getting fuel, part of the reason they were into North Africa- It is do-able, but not necessarily cheap. When gas/oil prices get high enough, something like this becomes worthwhile. At this point, probably easier to burn alcohol, E85. Make the existing gas go further- As crude oil prices get higher, it becomes more economically sensible to extract oil out of more difficult areas- for example, the tar sands in Alberta, Ca.

[zebragirl83]

I wish these were the things I thought about walking to my car!!!

I'm usually thinking about how I can't wait to get home and...