Monetization of Nigeria Coal by Conversion to Hydrocarbon Fuels through Fischer-Tropsch Process

Abstract

Given the instability of crude oil prices and the disruptions in crude oil supply chains, this article offers a complementing investment proposal through diversification of Nigeria's energy source and dependence. Therefore, the following issues were examined and reported: A comparative survey of coal and hydrocarbon reserve bases in Nigeria was undertaken and presented. An excursion into the economic, environmental, and technological justifications for the proposed diversification and roll-back to coal-based resource was also undertaken and presented. The technology available for coal beneficiation for environmental pollution control was reviewed and reported. The Fischer-Tropsch synthesis bothering on the process chemistry and its advances into Sasol's slurry phase distillate process (sspdp) was reviewed. Specifically, the adoption of Sasol's advanced synthol process (sasp) and the slurry phase distillate process were recommended as ways of processing the products of coal gasification. The article concludes by discussing all the above-mentioned issues with regard to value addition as a means of wealth creation and investment.

Keywords:

• coal beneficiation
• complementing-investment proposal
• Fischer-Tropsch process
• hydrocarbon fuels
• monetization
• process chemistry
• value addition