TransGas Development Systems announced that it has filed an application for a permit with the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Air Quality, to construct a coal-to-liquids gasification plant in Mingo County, West Virginia. The Transgas coal-to-liquids project will produce gasoline.

The site is near Wharncliffe, WV in Mingo County about 80 miles south of Charlston, West Virginia. The facility is planned to convert 3 million tons of coal per year to syngas using the Uhde proprietary Prenflo gasification process using 2 – 1000 MWth gasifiers with direct quench. The facility will convert the syngas using a catalytic process to produce 6.5 million barrels per year of gasoline.

Financing has been difficult for most project developers/owners to arrange. Most developers/owners plan to finance their projects with debt. Transgas plans to issue an IPO and finance the project with investor equity from the sale of the stock.

This facility will provide high paying jobs and produce fewer emissions than traditional coal plants and improve the local economy.