According to Randy Taylor, CEO of HydroCoal, his company “will do for coal what cracking did for oil – enable the emergence of an entire new form of energy utilizing yet transforming existing infrastructure.” With HyrdoCoal’s technology, coal can now be used to create clean synfuels at prices comparable with oil and natural gas. The company’s secret sauce is based on three innovations:
- the production of extremely small coal particles, around 10 microns versus standard pulverized coal (SPC) at 100 +/- microns;
- the preservation of coal’s natural reactive structure during the grinding process; and
- the ability to control and modify the carbon surface chemistry during the grinding process.
In layman’s terms, HydroCoal is focused one step earlier in the coal conversion chain. That step involves grinding raw coal into smaller and more porous particles with more surface reactivity. This product burns more like natural gas.
The company will sell processors, gasifiers, and direct liquefaction systems, deriving its revenue from equipment sales and royalties on equipment and process usage. The company has filed patents and is actively pursuing this avenue to protect its IP. The management team and advisory board have been identified, led by co-founders David W. Taylor (inventor of HydroCoal) and President Randy Taylor (MIT/Wharton and 30 years’ experience).
The company shows a map detailing that the US is the “Saudi Arabia of Coal.” Adoption of its technology could certainly lessen our dependence on foreign sources of energy. Competition arises from natural gas, gasification of SPC, biomass, and alternatives like wind and solar power.
HydroCoal is seeking funding in the range of $4-6M to fully execute its plan and address a market of significant size.
