From the standpoint of energy and economic balances, a synergism can exist between coal gasification and production of ethanol. Although direct production of alcohol-based fuels is possible via syngas-based processes such as Fischer-Tropsch, alternated processes involving coal gasification can lead to cost effective supplies of ethanol-relevant chemicals such as hydrogen, ammonia, sulfuric acid, superphosphate of lime, ammonium sulfate and fly ash. In particular, the use of high sulfur coal as a precursor to fertilizer production is strongly favored. In this way each ton of coal can be used to fertilize about 14 acres of land, thus producing over 17 tons of ethanol via chemically augmented photosynthesis followed by fermentation and distillation. In addition, the stover can play an important role in carbon sequestration. The photosynthesis process is highly effective in converting carbon dioxide to a form that is more easily manipulated through thermophysical and chemical processes; namely cellulose. Although in nature cellulose is eventually reconverted to carbon dioxide through oxidative processes, this conversion can be interrupted by converting the stover to wood coke. As much as six tons of wood coke can be produced per ton of coal consumed. Not only does this increase the yield of valuable bioliquid hydrocarbon fuels, but the carbon residue can be sequestered. From an overall standpoint, it is possible to create processes that are simultaneously net energy positive (more energy out than in) and carbon negative (more carbon sequestered than released to the environment).