Analysis of industrial applicability of low-Btu gas

A study of the potential of using low-Btu gas in industrial applications, conducted by consultant W.J. Rebello along with Systems Consultants, Inc., and the US Department of Energy, reached the following conclusion. 1) Substituting low-Btu gas for current fuels could save 44% of industrial direct-heat and process-steam energy and 27% of total industrial energy consumption. 2) Low-Btu gas could replace almost 3.3 quads of current natural gas consumption. 3) Energy consumption in the chemical, primary metal, and petroleum industries would benefit the most by the substitution of low-Btu gas for current fuels. 4) The industrial states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana have a high market potential for low-Btu gas; all four states have large supplies of coal available for low-Btu gasification. 5) Texas and Louisiana have the highest identified market potential (29% or 1.5 quads) for low Btu gas, but their past production of coal has been low. 6) Further study will identify the total market for low-Btu gas. A full market study would include an examination of economics, multiple plant use of a single gasifier, the potential for gasification by smaller size plants, and projections of future industrial potential.