Rentech Midwest Energy Corp. has chosen Topsoe’s WSA technology to clean the waste gases from its coal gasification project in East Dubuque, Illinois. Contracts concerning license and engineering have been signed. Rentech will use the gas from the coal gasifier for production of ammonia and hydrocarbons. It is expected that Rentech and Topsoe will enter into contracts concerning the supply of equipment and materials later this year.

In the WSA process, the waste gas is converted to commercial quality concentrated sulphuric acid. The sulphur removal efficiency of the WSA process – Wet gas Sulphuric Acid – is exceptionally high. The process is exothermic and a large amount of high pressure steam is exported for use in other process steps.

Niels K. Sorensen, Executive Vice President of Haldor Topsoe, Inc., Houston, says: "The interest in coal gasification in USA is booming, and Haldor Topsoe is well equipped to serve this market with several technologies for processing of the synthesis gas. We are confident that this project will be only the first of several for the many coal gasifiers that are likely to be installed in USA in the coming years.”

For further information, please visit our website www.haldortopsoe.com. You can also contact Mr. Frands E. Jensen, fej@topsoe.dk, in Denmark or Mr. Niels Udengaard, nru@topsoe.com, in Houston.