Ramaco gets patent to convert coal into products

Market: Coal, Coking coal
02/11/23

Coal producer Ramaco Resources has acquired a US Department of Energy patent for technology converting coal to carbon nanosheets, also known as graphene.

Ramaco intends to use the patent, which was initially held by the Department of Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), to develop the technology for commercial use.

Carbon nanosheets are atomically thin pieces of carbon and can be used in strengthening composite materials as well as improving the performance of battery electrodes.

With the patent "we will be able to pursue a variety of higher value commercial applications of coal," said Ramaco chief executive officer Randall Atkins. "This specific technology will help us focus on innovations for batteries applications, building and construction materials and a wide range of electronic devices."

The nanosheets also may be a lab-created alternative to graphite, which China this month announced restrictions on its export of the material, Ramaco said.

The company plans to continue working with NETL on a variety of carbon products made from coal and coal-related mining waste. They signed a cooperative research and development agreement to discover new uses for coal in 2018. Ramaco did not disclose any specific details on time lines or next steps planned for the development of its coal-to-products technology.

Ramaco operates a research and pilot project facility in Sheridan, Wyoming, as well as three active mining complexes in West Virginia. Earlier this year, the company announced plans to start development of its Brook coal mine in Wyoming to produce rare earths and a carbon ore used in the manufacture of activated carbon fiber. The coal company also plans to work with the US Department of Energy on the possibility of vertical development of rare earth magnet production.

By Elena Vasilyeva

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23/12/24

Japan’s Chugoku restarts Shimane nuclear reactor early

Osaka, 23 December (Argus) — Japanese utility Chugoku Electric Power restarted the 820MW Shimane No.2 nuclear reactor for test operations on 23 December, two days earlier than originally planned. The No.2 reactor at Shimane in west Japan's Shimane prefecture was reconnected to the country's power grids for the first time in nearly 13 years, after the reactor shut down in January 2012 for stricter safety inspections following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear meltdown disaster. Chugoku reactivated the Shimane No.2 reactor on 7 December, aiming to resume power generation on 25 December. But the target date for commercial operations remained unchanged on 10 January, despite the earlier than expected restart. The Shimane No.2 reactor will be a vital power source as the sole nuclear fleet in the Chugoku area, to help enhance the resilience of the power supply structure, stabilise retail electricity prices and reduce CO2 emissions, said Japan Atomic Industrial Forum's president Hideki Masui on 23 December. The Shimane No.2 reactor is the second boiling water reactor (BWR) to be restarted after the Fukushima disaster, following the 825MW Onagawa No.2 BWR unit that resumed test generation on 15 November, with normal operations scheduled to restart on 26 December. The BWR is the same type as that involved in the meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi plant. The restart of the two BWRs would pave the way for Japan's nuclear restoration, as 15 BWRs — including advanced BWRs — are still closed in the wake of the Fukushima disaster. Japan has restored 14 reactors as of 23 December, including the Shimane and Onagaw reactors, of which 12 are installed with a pressurised water reactor (PWR) design. Nuclear power's share The Japanese government last week set a target of 20pc for nuclear power's share in the country's draft power mix for the April 2040-March 2041 fiscal year, under the triennial review for the country's Strategic Energy Plan (SEP). Tokyo is seeking to restart all existing reactors to achieve the 20pc goal, adding that replacement reactors would also be possible. The draft SEP allows nuclear power operators that had decommissioned reactors to build next-generation reactors at their nuclear sites, not limited to the same site. The previous SEP did not mention building new reactors or replacements. Japan's Federation of Electric Power Companies (FEPC) has applauded this progress, but FEPC chairman Kingo Hayashi noted that it was disappointing the SEP did not mention a nuclear capacity target which the FEPC had requested. It also did not include building new reactors or the expansion of existing nuclear plants, Hayashi added. By Motoko Hasegawa Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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US government agencies set to shut down

20/12/24

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20/12/24

US government agencies set to shut down

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Trump backs new deal to avoid shutdown: Update

19/12/24

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19/12/24

Trump backs new deal to avoid shutdown: Update

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US Congress passes waterways bill

19/12/24

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19/12/24

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Reliability drives New Zealand power mix: Minister

19/12/24

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19/12/24

Reliability drives New Zealand power mix: Minister

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