UPSC Prelims 2025 · Question 5 of 100

UPSC Prelims 2025 question on Coal Gasification Products

Consider the following substances:

I. Ethanol
II. Nitroglycerine
III. Urea

Coal gasification technology can be used in the production of how many of them?

  1. Only one
  2. Only two
  3. All the three
  4. None
Show answer

Answer: B. Only two

Coal gasification is a process that converts coal into a gaseous fuel called syngas (synthesis gas), primarily composed of carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen (H2).

I. Ethanol – CORRECT: Syn Gas produced from coal gasification can be usable in producing Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG), energy fuel (methanol & ethanol), ammonia for fertilizers and petro-chemicals. Syngas can be fermented to produce ethanol.

II. Nitroglycerine – INCORRECT: Nitroglycerin was originally synthesized by Ascanio Sobrero and was used by Alfred Nobel to manufacture dynamite. It is a vasodilatory drug used primarily to provide relief from anginal chest pain. It is NOT produced using coal gasification.

III. Urea – CORRECT: Coal gasification based fertilizer plant at Talcher (Odisha) by Talcher Fertilizer Ltd. is engaged in setting up of an integrated coal gasification based urea plant using high ash coal to produce neem-coated Urea.

Coal gasification can be used in the production of 2 substances (Ethanol and Urea) → Option (b).

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