Chemicals from syn gas, step by step and the future role of coal

A combined chemical and fuels plant could use synthesis gas made from whatever feedstock was cheapest. Such a plant would have to be large to make coal handling economic. Methanol will be a key intermediate product for use either as a feedstock or as a fuel. AECI have discovered an economic chemical additive which makes it possible to burn methanol in a conventional diesel engine. Possible processes based on synthesis gas and methanol are examined.