Issues relative to the development and commercialization of a coal-derived synthetic liquids industry. Management issues. Volume III-3. Availability of water for the development of a coal liquefaction industry. Final report, January 1975--December 1976

This study examines the problems associated with providing the water needs of future hypothetical coal liquefaction plants in various parts of the U.S. All potential sources that could furnish several million gallons per day (mgpd), or more, are examined including local surface water, fresh ground water, brackish or saline water (including desalinization), recycled wastewater, and imported (pipeline) water. Using a standard (i.e., maximum) requirement of 10 mgpd for a nominal commercial plant (producing 50,000 barrels/day) all regions examined were found to be able to supply the required water one way or another. The worst situation examined was that for western plants in the Four Corners region. There the most costly solution, water transported 1000 miles from the Missouri, would add about 60 cents per barrel of synthetic oil--compared to about 20 cents per barrel for desalinization of local ground water, the second most costly option. In most regions relatively low-cost water appears to be available. Where costs are relatively high engineering design options can reduce the standard water requirements by 50-80 percent, at some increase in capital investment.