Ground subsidence resulting from underground gasification of coal

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1979 · In Situ; (United States)

OSTI ID:5550407

Gregg, D W

Lawrence Livermore Labortory's review of the basic principles of ground subsidence - particularly in relation to the subsidence observed in in situ coal-gasification zones in the USSR - reveals some general trends in the characteristics of this phenomenon and its effects on the gasification reaction. Subsidence in gasification of thin seams 3 to 10 ft (1 to 3 m) thick is dominated by bending subsidence with little bulking for both horizontal and steeply dipping beds. No measurable time delay is evident between gasification of the coal and observation of the surface subsidence. Thick seams present more severe subsidence problems, as expected, with steeply dipping beds being the most hazardous for any given thickness. The formation of steeply dipping shafts can cause major catastrophic subsidence, forming craters and resulting in massive gas leakage from the reaction system.

• OSTI ID: 5550407
• Journal Information: In Situ; (United States), Journal Name: In Situ; (United States) Vol. 3:1; ISSN ISOMD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010404* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Gasification
010900 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Environmental Aspects
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
COAL
COAL GASIFICATION
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GASIFICATION
GROUND SUBSIDENCE
IN-SITU GASIFICATION
IN-SITU PROCESSING
PROCESSING
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES