Ikelic - Alliance Digital Repository

STATUS OF COAL PROJECTS (Underline denotes changes since June 1994)
COMMERCIAL AND R&D PROJECTS (Continued)
The products of Sasol Two and Three, other than liquid fuels, include ethylene, alcohols, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, pitch, tar
acids, and sulfur, produced for Sasol's Chemical Division, ammonia for the group's Fertilizer and Explosives Divisions, and
propylene for the Polymer Division. The primary fuels produced by Sasol at Secunda are probably among the most environmen
tally acceptable in the world. The gasoline that is produced has zero sulfur content, is low in aromatics and the level of oxygenates
means a relatively high octane number. An oxygenate-containing fuel, as a result of the lower combustion temperature, results in a
generally lower level of reactive exhaust constituents.
The blending of synthetic gasoline with alcohols (ethanol as well as high fuel alcohols) presented a particular challenge to Sasol.
Sasol erected research and development facilities to optimize and characterize fuel additives. Whereas carburetor corrosion with
alcohol-containing gasoline occurs with certain alloys used for carburetors, Sasol has now developed its own package of additives to
the point where a formal guarantee is issued to clients who use Sasol fuel.
The diesel fuel is a zero sulfur fuel with a high cetane number and a paraffin content that will result in a lower particulate emission
level than normal refinery fuel.
Sasol's Mining Division manages the six Sasol-owned collieries, which have an annual production in excess of 43 million tons of
coal. The collieries comprised of the three Secunda Collieries (including the new open cast mines, Syferfontein and Wonderwater),
which form the largest single underground coal mining complex in the world, and the Sigma Colliery in Sasolburg.
A technology company, Sastech, is responsible for the Group's entire research and development program, process design, engineer
ing, project management, and transfer of technology.
Sasol approved in 1990 six new projects costing $451 million as part of an overall $3.5 billion program over the next five years. The
first three projects are scheduled for completion by January 1993.
Sasol has increased its production of ethylene by 55,000 tons per year, to a current level of 400,000 tons per year, by expanding its
ethylene recovery plant at Secunda.
The company's total wax producing capacity will be doubled from its current level of 64,000 tons per year to 120,000 tons per year.
The 70,000 ton per year Sasol One ammonia plant is to be replaced by a 240,000 ton per year plant, which is expected to supply
South Africa's current ammonia supply shortfall.
A new facility, Sasol One, to manufacture paraffinic products for detergents was commissioned in March 1993.
An n-butanol plant to recover acetaldehyde from the Secunda facilities and to produce 17300 tons per year of n-butanol was com
missioned during 1992.
Sasol will construct a delayed coker facility to produce green coke, and a calciner to calcinate the green coke to anode coke and
needle coke. The anode coke is suitable for use in the aluminum smelting industry. They are scheduled to be in production by July
1993.
A flexible plant to recover 100,000 tons per year of 1-hexane or 1-pentone will be built to come online in January 1994. The tech
nology was developed in-house by Sasol.
A krypton/xenon gas recovery plant adjacent to Secunda oxygen units was commissioned in 1993.
A major renewal project at Sasol One includes the replacement of the fixed bed Fischer-Tropsch plant with the new Sasol Slurry
Bed Reactor. The renewal also includes shutting down much of the synthetic fuels capability at this plant.
Project Cost': SASOL Two $2.9 Billion
SASOL Three $3.8 Billion
*At exchange rates ruling at construction
- SCOTIA COAL SYNFUELS PROJECT DEVCO; Alastair Gillespie* Associates Limited; Gulf Canada Products Company;
NOVA; Nova Scotia Resources Limited; and Petro-Canada (C-500)
The consortium conducted a feasibility study of a coal liquefaction plant in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia using local coal to produce
gasoline and diesel fuel. The plant would be built either in the area of the Point Tupper Refinery or near the coal mines. The
25,000 barrels per day production goal would require approximately 23 million tonnes of coal per year. A contract was completed
with Chevron Research Inc. to test the coals in their two-stage direct liquefaction process (CCLP). A feasibility report was com
pleted and options financeability discussed with governments concerned and other parties.
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SYNTHETIC FUELS REPORT, JANUARY 1995