Sokolovská uhelná to restart gasification technology at Vřesová in Czechia

Sokolovská uhelná will resume partial operation of its gasification technology at Vřesová this month. Three of the 26 gasifiers will be brought back online. Resuming the pressurized gasification of coal is intended to pave the way for preparations for new innovative technologies that will form part of the development of the chemical industry at the Vřesová industrial site. The company said the first days of restarting the mothballed technology may be accompanied by a slight odor, it said in a press release today.

„People in nearby towns and villages need not worry that this limited operation will pose any risks to health, safety or the quality of the environment. Only the start of the resumed operation may be accompanied by a slight odor during the initial days of commissioning the technology that was shut down in 2020. We therefore thank everyone for their understanding and hope this will not disrupt any planned summer activities,“ said Jana Pavlíková, spokesperson for Sokolovská uhelná.

Sokolovská uhelná shut down its gasification operations in 2020, mainly because of high emissions allowance prices. It switched to natural gas at the time. However, the situation on the natural gas market, particularly as a result of the war in Ukraine, has shown that relying solely on natural gas carries risks for the future. Sokolovská uhelná also wants to test technologies in the recommissioned gasifiers that could enable further development of chemical production.

„Expensive natural gas, and the risk that it may become unavailable, are further reasons why we should pay attention to restarting the pressurized gasification plant. For several more years, natural gas will undoubtedly be difficult to replace alongside coal as a fuel for electricity and heat production. The plant is a suitable alternative for addressing the current crisis. Bringing part of the Vřesová plant back online will provide an opportunity to secure gas from domestic mineral resources for energy needs,“ said Pavel Tomek, chairman of Sokolovská uhelná’s supervisory board.

The gasifiers will operate at reduced operating parameters, while part of the technology will remain shut down. The gasification plant at Vřesová uses unique technology that can convert brown coal into fuel gas at high pressure and temperatures. The gasification section involves much more than the pressurized gasification of coal itself; it also includes technology for breaking down secondary carbochemical products, known as a burner generator. This is a unique technology not only in the Czech context, but globally. Pressurized gasification also produces chemicals for further use, such as sulfuric acid, ammonia and phenolic water. Currently, only the coal drying and crushing facilities are operating at the site, preparing the feedstock for the heating plant.