Synthesis Energy Systems Inc announced that the syngas production facility for its Yima JV coal to methanol project in Henan Province, China has now entered the commissioning phase as many of the facility's systems have achieved or are nearing mechanical completion.

Pre commissioning activities, which began in May 2012, culminated in a successful short term data gathering test where syngas was produced from coal in one of the project's three gasifiers under controlled test conditions.

The Yima JV and SES support teams are now fully staffed at the site for implementing the commissioning work for the syngas production facility and for subsequently moving into the next phase for plant startup. Initial startup of the first gasifier is expected to occur in September of this year. Many of the supporting operating systems, including the steam and oxygen producing units, the coal handling system and the coal feeding system, have now reached mechanical completion. The commissioning of the methanol unit systems will begin after the syngas production facility is fully commissioned.

Mr Francis Lau SVP & chief technology officer of SES said that "Both the Yima Joint Venture and SES have a well qualified team in place to complete the commissioning and startup of the facilities. The majority of our team members bring significant gasification experience, including that from our Zao Zhuang JV operating unit. During the pre commissioning of the syngas production facility, we were able to gather important data that will help us facilitate a successful gasification unit startup."

Mr Robert Rigdon president & CEO of SES said that "The Yima JV project continues to make good progress and is a much anticipated important milestone for our company's growth. The project is being watched very closely in China, as our technology is being considered as a key technology for future growth in China's coal to energy and chemical industries. Our SES China business platform is moving forward on its important growth initiatives such as the startup of our Yima JV project, and the Hongye and ZhongMo strategic investments, which are also advancing well. We look forward to providing more updates soon on our progress in China."

Source - Synthesis Energy Systems Inc

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