Ambre Energy is pursuing the development and application of clean energy technologies including:

1. gasification of coal to produce liquid fuels such as unleaded petrol and LPG from coal-derived syngas (ambreCTL)
2. gasification of coal to develop next-generation fuels (e.g. dimethyl ether or DME)
3. low temperature pyrolysis of coal to produce a clean burning solid char product and synthetic crude oil
4. the production of ethanol from biomass, particularly waste materials such as municipal green waste and
5. coal briquetting.

Coal gasification involves heating coal under pressure with low levels of oxygen and steam to produce a synthesis gas (syngas) comprised mainly of hydrogen and carbon monoxide.

Syngas may be used as a feedstock for the synthesis of chemicals, including methanol and ammonia, or the production of a variety of liquid fuels, including unleaded petrol, LPG, dimethyl ether (DME) and diesel.

Ambre Energy is proposing Australia’s first coals-to-liquids project, ambreCTL, which will convert low value coals to zero-sulphur unleaded petrol and LPG.

This project will utilise commercially-proven technologies to produce approximately 18,000 barrels per day of unleaded petrol. The unleaded petrol will be free of sulphur and nitrogen impurities and rated at 92 RON, which is slightly higher than the standard unleaded petrol we receive at the bowser today.

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Syngas may also be used for the production of dimethyl ether (DME).

In recent times, DME has attracted much attention around the world because of its suitability as a fuel for compression ignition diesel engines and the fact that it results in higher efficiency and significantly lower emissions when compared with diesel.

DME is currently produced commercially in China and Japan in a ‘two stage’ process by first converting the synthesis gas to methanol and then converting the methanol to DME.

An alternative ‘single-stage’ process, resulting in reduced capital and operating costs, involves the direct conversion of syngas into DME (therefore avoiding the intermediate conversion to methanol). The University of Utah together with Ambre Energy is attempting to perfect this method of DME production. 

University of Utah DME Team

As part of our alternative energy portfolio, Ambre Energy has funded this work aimed at the development of a novel reactor and catalysts for a single-stage DME production process. In exchange for this funding and payment of an ongoing royalty to the University, Ambre Energy is entitled to exclusive worldwide rights to the technology.

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Ambre Energy’s proprietary hybrid energy system involves heating coal in a vertical retort to about 660°C in the absence of oxygen, a process generally described as low temperature ‘pyrolysis’ or ‘retorting’.

Ambre Energy vertical retort in Eastern Utah

The lack of oxygen suppresses the combustion process of the coal. Instead, moisture is driven off and part of the volatile matter in the coal converts to a hydrocarbon vapour. When this vapour is cooled, it condenses into a liquid similar to crude oil.

The value in this process results not only from the crude oil generated, but also from the remaining solid material, known as ‘char’, discharged at the end of the retorting process.

Upgrading the oil results in a synthetic feedstock suitable for refining in a traditional refinery and the char can be used by steel manufacturers and to increase the efficiency of existing coal-fired power plants.

Ambre Energy has a 24 tonne per day pilot plant in Eastern Utah and has undertaken the following investigations in recent times:

• after pilot plant trials, completing a conceptual design of a commercial-scale hybrid energy system plant
• completing pilot plant trials in Canada to upgrade the oil to a synthetic crude quality
• completing a feasibility study, in conjunction with North American Coal Corporation (NAC) for a semi-commercial demonstration plant at NAC’s Red Hills Mine in Ackerman, Mississippi.

Prevailing economic conditions mean a small-scale hybrid energy system plant is not currently viable, but the research will be reconsidered at an appropriate time.

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Ambre Energy is investigating commercially-available technologies for the production of ethanol from biomass (biological materials derived from living or once-living organisms). In particular, we are investigating feed-flexible technologies for the production of ethanol.

Feed flexible technologies can allow for low cost ‘waste’ feed materials, such as municipal green waste (sorted yard waste etc.) to be used. Ambre Energy intends to undertake some test work to evaluate feedstock and, if appropriate, conduct an engineering concept study based on identified green waste resources.

Sources of low cost green waste in South East Queensland are under review.

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Ambre Energy’s interest in the novel and unconventional uses of coal to increase its value extends from coal-to-liquids conversion through to briquetting. Briquetting also adds value to certain lower grade coals by reducing moisture content and producing a product that is safe and economical to transport.

Ambre Energy is investigating the use of this technology at some of our proposed mining projects.

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