Secunda CTL is asynthetic fuel plant owned bySasol atSecunda, Mpumalanga inSouth Africa. It usescoal liquefaction to producepetroleum-like synthetic crude oil fromcoal. The process used by Sasol is based on theFischer–Tropsch process. It is the largestcoal liquefaction plant and the largest single emitter ofgreenhouse gas in the world.
Secunda CTL consists of two production units. The Sasol II unit was constructed in 1980 and the Sasol III unit in 1984.[1] It has total production capacity of 160,000 barrels per day (25,000 m3/d).[2]
As of 2020[update] it is the world's largest single emitter of greenhouse gas, at 56.5 million tonnes CO2 a year.[3] However, ifAfşin-Elbistan C power station in Turkey is built and operated at planned capacity it would emit over 60 million tonnes a year, though this project was stopped on the grounds of possible soil and air pollution.
Air Liquide acquired the 42,000 tons/day oxygen production in 2020, with plans for 900 MW power plants to reduce CO2 emissions.[4][5]
The Sasol III Steam Plant has a 301 m (988 ft) tall chimney built byConcor, which consists of a 292 m (958 ft) high windshield and four 300 m (980 ft) reinforced concrete flues which together with a 1 m (3.3 ft) high temporary roof on the 4th flue make it the tenthtallest structure, and the second tallest free-standing structure in Africa.[6] It remains thetallest structure in South Africa, and the tallest free-standing structure in sub-Saharan Africa.
As a major component of South Africa's economy, Secunda was in turn a major target of theAfrican National Congress during theapartheid era[citation needed]. Two ANC attacks (and their aftermath) were dramatized in the 2006 filmCatch a Fire.
| Records | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Tallest structure in South Africa Chimney of Sasol III: 301 m (988 ft) 1984 – present | Incumbent |
| Tallest free-standing structure in Africa Chimney of Sasol III: 301 m (988 ft) 1984 – 2021 | Succeeded by | |
26°33′13.3″S29°09′56.7″E / 26.553694°S 29.165750°E /-26.553694; 29.165750