Saw the below today re BCIA June 17 seminar... _________________________________ "Below is a sample of presentations you can look forward to at the Coal Drying and Handling seminar:
•RWE Power International, RE GmbH presenting on their WTA lignite drying technology
•Kobe Steel presenting on their upgraded brown coal technology
•Ignite Energy Resources - Lignite, a pathway to drop in fuels
•Exergen’s Continuous Hydrothermal De-Watering of Low Rank Coal
•Torreco - Torrefaction Technology as applied to brown coal upgrading and other beneficial uses
•Plus presentations from HRL, JC Steele & Sons Australia, CSIRO Process Science & Engineering, University of Melbourne, Monash University, Sinclair Knight Merz, University of Science & Technology Liaoning, China and WorleyParsons.
The Coal Drying seminar will be the first in a series of similar events, with future events focussing on coal upgrading to value-added products (eg via gasification and/or pyrolysis), improving efficiency of coal utilisation, and carbon capture and storage technologies." ____________________________ Notice - "first in a series of similar events, with future events"...WHY is this beginning 17 June ->...anticipated ALDP decision is mid June maybe? BCIA seem to be cranking up for some MAJOR b/coal drying tech action...anyway - the confidence is sweet. Govt depts have a history of wasting ~$400m on b/coal drying techs...I reckon this venture is VERY well orchestrated.
So ECT are definitely presenting Monday. Yes there are at least 5 other techs also presenting. Most observers have thought ~3 major recipients and maybe a few minor ones.
Lets think about the original objective of the ALDP...its (simplistically) about b/coal drying techs that are proven at pilot level - have a "need" for a Govt helping hand - have "some" private funding...with an emphasis on ability to be exported.
Plenty here in the past have done some basic research on the above ~5 competing techs...below is my VERY rough idea of the less posted techs (Exergen has been discussed) :
* RWE Power International, RE GmbH presenting on their WTA lignite drying technology
DFT done...uses largely FREE waste heat ~35-40C...proven pilot plant re LV coal...LT history with the DPI/Vic Govts...proven exportable...proven to have a clean water bi-product...proven to have a value add on ~Matmor
Coldry's glaring negative is it has yet to attain a $$ backer.
As a side point - we see a distinct move to QUALITY in the thermal coal market happening. Its just STARTING. Been to Beijing/Asia lately?
Briefly - as I see it...those (inc Monash) looking to the LT know:
China has just flagged a potential import restriction on coal +1% sulphur...+25% ash...-~4500cv. The Indians have signalled they may follow. Fact is people need to breeeeathe don't they...? Been to Beijing/Asia lately?
This is massively significant to Coldry... 0.35% sulphur...2.4% ash...-~5850 cv.
LV lignite is known as the Worlds cleanest lignite - so obviously Coldry would have to be ~ the worlds cleanest coal...?
The "coming" competitor...USA "powder river basin" coal has no where NEAR the positive characteristics of Coldry...and the cost to transport to Asia is from memory ~2/3 times Coldry given the PRB is ~1500km from the USA east coast.
* Fact - Indonesia will have to rein in its exports (need them for domestic) ...Fact - Indo is presently the largest t/coal exporter...Fact - Indo will have to UPGRADE their coal to be LT exportable....Fact - there is a cloud hovering over Indo coal just it is over Oz coal...Fact - present coal benchmark producers Newcastle NEEEED ~$90 to just brake even....Fact...Coldry has all the ingredients to become a major coal player...let alone Matmor madness...Fact - the Fed/Vic Govts are absolutely convinced they have at least one economic drying solution in their sights.
I did like the BCIA blurb re Coldry compared to the others:
