[LINK] Tony pulls it off!

[Chris Maltby]

> Chris Maltby wrote:
>> I presume that the process involves heating of the brown coal to
>> drive off the extra moisture and other non-combustibles. When you
>> subtract the energy input from boost in burning efficiency it's not
>> so dramatic.
  
On Thu, Dec 03, 2009 at 08:04:35PM +1100, Bernard Robertson-Dunn wrote:
> You presume wrong.

Perhaps not - to get the water to this "critical state" one must apply
heat - how many MJ per ton?  Then you've got to separate the carbon in
its de-polymerised state from the oils, gases and other substances.
That will also consume energy - how many MJ per ton for this?

What is the overall net increase in energy efficiency yield after all
these factors?  How much less CO2 is emitted per MWh of generated
electricity. At what carbon price does it become cost effective to
invest in the specialised plant? What else becomes cost-competitive
with lignite at that carbon price? Hmmm...

Chris