UPSC Prelims 2025 PYQ on Coal Gasification: Ethanol, Nitroglycerine, Urea
Consider the following substances:
I. Ethanol II. Nitroglycerine III. Urea
Coal gasification technology can be used in the production of how many of them?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All the three
(d) None
Correct Answer: (b) Only two
Explanation:
Option I is correct: Ethanol
Ethanol can be produced indirectly from coal through the coal gasification route. In this method, coal is gasified to produce syngas, which is then converted into ethanol through a catalytic or microbial fermentation process.
Option II is incorrect: Nitroglycerine
Nitroglycerine cannot be produced through coal gasification. It is a chemical compound synthesized by the nitration of glycerol (glycerin) using a mixture of concentrated nitric acid and sulfuric acid. Glycerol, the key raw material in this process, is typically a byproduct of the soap-making or biodiesel industries and has no direct connection with coal or syngas.
Option III is correct: Urea
Urea is one of the most important fertilizers and can indeed be produced using coal gasification technology. In this process, coal is gasified to produce syngas, which is further used to synthesize ammonia via the Haber-Bosch process. The ammonia thus obtained is then reacted with carbon dioxide to produce urea.
