Coal electric generation and coal gasification as home energy sources. [Conference paper]

The coal-based electric system is more efficient and, except for the electric-baseboard heating alternative, has lower total annual costs than a comparable coal-based Lurgi Process plant synthetic natural gas (SNG) gas system for performing equivalent residential services. Air emissions for the coal-based electric system, depending upon the residential systems being compared, range from 2.4 to 3.0 times those of the coal-based gas system. The electric alternative water requirements are 1.6 times those of gas for present-day residential systems and 1.9 times gas for future systems. The electric alternative solid wastes are slightly less than those of gas, and coal requirements are 76% of gas for present system comparisons and 85% those of the coal-based gas alternative for future systems. While Lurgi-based coal gasification systems using present state-of-the-art technology appear unable to use the nation's coal resources as effectively as the electric power system for meeting residential energy needs, second generation coal gasification system developments should be actively pursued and encouraged to meet future synthetic gas and liquid-fuel needs. It should also be noted that several promising future coal-based electric generation alternatives are based on coal gasification technology. 7 references, 3 figures, 3 tables.