Viability of underground coal gasification in the 'deep coals' of the Powder River Basin, Wyoming
The objective of this work is to evaluate the PRB coal geology, hydrology, infrastructure, environmental and permitting requirements and to analyze the possible UCG projects which could be developed in the PRB. Project economics on the possible UCG configurations are presented to evaluate the viability of UCG. There are an estimated 510 billion tons of sub-bituminous coal in the Powder River Basin (PRB) of Wyoming. These coals are found in extremely thick seams that are up to 200 feet thick. The total deep coal resource in the PRB has a contained energy content in excess of twenty times the total world energy consumption in 2002. However, only approximately five percent of the coal resource is at depths less than 500 feet and of adequate thickness to be extracted by open pit mining. The balance is at depths between 500 and 2,000 feet below the surface. These are the PRB 'deep coals' evaluated for UCG in this report. The coal deposits in the Powder River Basin of Wyoming are thick, laterally continuous, and nearly flat lying. These deposits are ideal for development by Underground Coal Gasification. The thick deep coal seams of the PRB can be harvested using UCG and be protective of groundwater, air resources, and with minimum subsidence. Protection of these environmental values requires correct site selection, site characterization, impact definition, and impact mitigation. The operating 'lessons learned' of previous UCG operations, especially the 'Clean Cavity' concepts developed at Rocky Mountain 1, should be incorporated into the future UCG operations. UCG can be conducted in the PRB with acceptable environmental consequences. The report gives the recommended development components for UCG commercialization. 97 refs., 31 figs., 57 tabs., 1 app.
- Research Organization:
- GasTech, Inc., Casper, WY (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 21176883
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: IEACR LIB
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Research and Development Concerning Coalbed Natural Gas
Land and natural resource information and some potential environmental effects of surface mining of coal in the Gillette Area, Wyoming
Related Subjects
VIABILITY
COAL GASIFICATION
IN-SITU GASIFICATION
WYOMING
POWDER RIVER BASIN
USA
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ENERGY SOURCE DEVELOPMENT
RESOURCE ASSESSMENT
DEPTH
THICKNESS
COAL SEAMS
GEOLOGY
CARBON DIOXIDE
UNDERGROUND STORAGE
CAPITALIZED COST
OPERATING COST
SYNTHESIS GAS
PRODUCTION
POWER GENERATION
SURFACES
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COAL DEPOSITS
RECOMMENDATIONS
SUBBITUMINOUS COAL