GE (NYSE: GE [1]) announced today that it has acquired high-pressure feeder pump technology from Stamet.

The investment is expected to accelerate GE’s offering of a cleaner coal solution based on lower ranked sub-bituminous coal such as Powder River Basin (PRB) coal.

GE is currently a leader in cleaner coal equipment based on integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) technology for plants using higher grade eastern bituminous coal or petroleum coke as fuel.

GE expects to integrate the newly acquired technology with its gasification technology offered today for use in utility, refining and industrial applications for the production of power, hydrogen and chemicals.

“Stamet has spent more than a decade developing the pump technology, and this acquisition will significantly accelerate the expansion of GE’s IGCC product offering in the U.S. and globally with a sub-bituminous solution that is consistent with the reference plant previously launched for eastern bituminous coals,” said John Lavelle, general manager of GE Energy’s gasification business.

To date, GE's gasification had only currently been capable of operating on a range of bituminous coals and petroleum coke blends.

Stamet is a technology development company specializing in the commercialization of its proprietary rotary solids pump, which feeds coal and other materials into atmospheric and pressurized applications.