Evaluation of in situ coal gasification processes on a regional basis

Technical Report · Thu Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1977

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5206487· OSTI ID:5206487

Ulrich, W C

A comparison was made of four candidate in-situ coal gasification processes (linked vertical well, packed bed, longwall generator, and steeply dipping bed) on the basis of a qualitative assessment of their technical merits and their suitability for application to various resource types and configurations in the continental United States. Three seam thicknesses (<15 ft, 15 to 50 ft, and >50 ft), two seam dips (<45/sup 0/ and >45/sup 0/), and seam depths to 3000 ft were considered. The United States was divided into four regions, and a predominant or representative coal type was selected within each region for purposes of displaying each candidate process to its best advantage. Russian experience, where it applies to the regional conditions under consideration, is described. Current techniques for linking wells drilled into coal seams are either slow, erratic, and/or costly. Therefore, to reduce the time and expense of in-situ gasification, it is necessary to develop reliable, rapid linking techniques for the different coal types, various resource configurations, and diverse geological conditions.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., Tenn. (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• OSTI ID: 5206487
• Report Number(s): ORNL-5279
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010404* -- Coal
Lignite
&amp; Peat-- Gasification
BOREHOLE LINKING
COAL GASIFICATION
EVALUATION
GASIFICATION
IN-SITU GASIFICATION
IN-SITU PROCESSING
NORTH AMERICA
PROCESSING
REGIONAL ANALYSIS
USA