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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

In-situ coal gasification of bituminous coals-A: development plan

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6108569
There are in excess of one trillion tons of bituminous coal resources in the United States mostly concentrated in the Appalachian, Illinois and Western Interior Basins. Approximately 220 billion tons of this bituminous resource, which is comparable to the estimated mineable reserves, can be recovered by Underground Coal Gasification (UCG). A technology that would provide for the economic production of gasoline and SNG in the eastern, high energy use markets would provide an essentially new energy source to these markets. The high rank, thin seam, bituminous coals therefore provide an effective target for the development of an economically viable technology for resource recovery. The only recent field test in these thin-seamed, high rank coals was the Pricetown I Field Test performed at Pricetown, West Viriginia. This test demonstrated the feasibility of gasifying deep (approx. 900 feet), thin seam (approx. 8 feet), swelling bituminous coals. This test provided a 72% energy recovery by utilizing only air injection. While the test was successful in meeting all of its objectives, it was only the first step in the development of eastern UCG technology. The data obtained from the test can be used to develop an effective plan which can lead to a commercial demonstration and subsequently, commercial acceptance of this technology for bituminous coals by the 1990's.
Research Organization:
Monsanto Research Corp., Miamisburg, OH (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-76DP00053
OSTI ID:
6108569
Report Number(s):
MLM-2873-0P; CONF-811023-6; ON: DE82002558
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English