Production of Urea through coal gasification

Production of Urea through coal gasification

Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III Economy 

In news

• Union Cabinet has given its approval for the proposal of the Department of Fertilizers. 
• It had proposed for the formulation of a subsidy policy for Urea produced through coal gasification by Talcher Fertilizers Limited (TFL).

Key takeaways 

• Considering the strategic energy security and urea self-sufficiency of India and looking into vast coal reserves, it has been decided to go ahead with TFL plant based on coal gasification technology.
• The project shall improve availability of fertilizer to farmers thereby boosting development of eastern region and will save transport subsidy for supply of urea in the region.
• It would assist in reducing Urea imports to the tune of 12.7 LMT per annum leading to savings in foreign exchange.

Do you know? 

• Talcher Fertilizers Ltd. (TFL) is a Joint Venture Company of four PSUs namely Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers (RCF), GAIL (India) Ltd. (GAIL), Coal India Ltd. (CIL) and Fertilizer Corporation of India Ltd. (FCIL) which was incorporated on 13th November, 2015.

Important value additions

Coal gasification 

• It is the process of producing syngas—a mixture consisting primarily of carbon monoxide, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, natural gas, and water vapour —from coal and water, air and/or oxygen.