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Three-dimensional laboratory simulation of the pressure dependency of UCG (underground coal gasification)

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5541510

Western Research Institute conducted a series of laboratory tests of underground coal gasification (UCG) at 100, 300, and 500 psig to investigate the effects of pressure on UCG product gas quality. Pressure did not significantly influence methane production rates because high temperatures thermodynamically exclude methanation as a principal producer of methane. The methane produced in these experiments ws the result of pyrolysis reactions. Hydrogen and carbon monoxide production decreased in the higher pressure tests, as expected from chemical equilibrium calculations. Mass transfer influences on the cavity wall growth rates were indicated by the strong dependency of air mass flux on gas quality observed in all three experiments. The difference noted between steeply dipping bed and horizontal underground coal gasification performance as a function of pressure is probably attributable to differences in reactor geometries. 12 refs., 11 figs., 4 tabs.

Research Organization:
Western Research Inst., Laramie, WY (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
FC21-83FE60177
OSTI ID:
5541510
Report Number(s):
DOE/FE/60177-2450; ON: DE88006024
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English