How it Fits Together

The production process for the Monash Energy project can be described in relatively simple terms, as shown in this diagram:

Each of the key steps labelled in the diagram utilise sophisticated technologies relying on complex chemical processes and production techniques. These are examined in more detail here.

Just as important, however, is the inter-relationship between the key steps in the production process. The Monash Energy project is both “first-of-kind” yet also based on proven technologies.

Around the world there are Gas to Liquids (GTL) projects, and even Coal to Gas to Liquids (CTL) projects, but very few combine CTL with carbon capture and storage. The utilisation by drying of brown coal rather than black coal makes the Monash Energy project truly unique.

The challenge is to select and integrate the different technological solutions, which are at varying stages of maturity. The project developers need to be confident that not only the technologies work, but they will work in local conditions and be effectively combined at the desired scale.

In the case of Drying, for instance, the key activity is not so much the development of the technology but rather the testing of this technology on the Latrobe Valley brown coal.