On November 14, 2019, the "Circulating Fluidized Bed Coal Gasification (CGAS) Technology Development and Industrialization Team" was granted the 2019 Science and Technology Promotion and Development Prize by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) following approval by the CAS Presidential Executive Meeting. Established by CAS, this annual award recognizes teams that make significant contributions to national economic and social development through scientific innovation, with no more than 10 recipients selected each year.
CGAS Technology: Innovation & Impact
Developed over a decade by the CAS Institute of Engineering Thermophysics (IET) to address market demands, CGAS technology offers a clean, efficient, low-cost, and highly adaptable solution for coal utilization. It overcomes limitations of traditional gasification methods, such as narrow coal adaptability, high pollution, and operational costs. Supported by the CAS Hongguang Special Project, CGAS has achieved rapid industrialization in producing clean industrial fuel gas and syngas for synthetic ammonia. Key advantages include:
Broad coal compatibility (low-rank, high-ash/sulfur/moisture coal);
Zero tar/phenol wastewater emissions;
Cost-effective gas production, resolving long-standing economic and environmental challenges.
Landmark Application: Gansu Jinhua Group Project
The 200,000 t/a synthetic ammonia plant using CGAS technology in Gansu Province successfully produced liquid ammonia, marking China’s first CGAS-based syngas application for synthetic ammonia. This breakthrough provides an eco-friendly solution for the industry. For details, visit the IET official website: http://www.etp.ac.cn/ (reported by People’s Daily and China Daily).
ZHGAS: Driving Industrialization
As the commercialization entity for CGAS technology, ZHGAS (CAS Hefei Gasification Technology Co., Ltd.) focuses on scaling innovations. A national high-tech enterprise with Class B Design and EPC Qualification for chemical/petrochemical/pharmaceutical industries, ZHGAS leads the CAS Hongguang Initiative (one of 10 key projects). ZHGAS adheres to the principle of "serving the national economy", delivering clean energy solutions and striving to become an industry leader.
At the 2019 Science and Technology Promotion and Development Award, the company's General Manager Yu Kuangshi and Deputy General Manager Meng Guangjun were honored as core members. With CGAS technology at its core, the company has continuously expanded its business scope, successfully implementing engineering projects such as the upgrade and transformation of fixed-bed gasification sections for coal-to-syngas production, integrated treatment of industrial wastewater, waste gas, and solid waste, complete harmless disposal and resource utilization of multi-category hazardous waste, and low-energy consumption and low-cost harmless sludge disposal. This has vigorously promoted the transformation of CGAS technological achievements.
These projects advance low-rank coal utilization, enhance energy efficiency, reduce water consumption/wastewater discharge, and reshape the coal-to-gas sector by breaking feedstock limitations.
Jiangsu Delong Coal-to-Clean Gas Project， 4 × 80,000 Nm³/h circulating fluidized bed (CFB) gasifiers
Xinjiang Yihua Gasification Plant Project，Configuration: 3 × 40,000 Nm³/h (CO+H₂) CFB gasifiers
Guizhou Hongsheng 300 kt/a Synthetic Ammonia Fixed-Bed Retrofitting Project，
1 × 40,000 Nm³/h (CO+H₂) CFB gasifier
Xiamen Xiangsheng Oxy-Enriched CFB Coal Gasification Project (Indonesia)，Oxygen-enhanced gasification for industrial fuel gas
Vision & Commitment
ZHGAS remains dedicated to its mission: "Guard China’s green mountains and clear waters with original technology" and "Deliver client value through innovative products." The team will continue developing cleaner, more efficient, and cost-effective solutions to drive energy transition and national energy security.
