Department of Energy's 1978 underground coal conversion program
The US has an abundance of energy resources, yet is currently facing grave energy supply problems. This results from heavy reliance on petroleum and natural gas, domestic reserves of which are dwindling, while the most abundant fossil energy resource (coal) is underutilized. Coal is the primary nonnuclear source for expanding domestic energy supplies through the year 2000. However, conventional underground and strip mining can recover only 6% of the 4.8 trillion Mt coal resource. Underground coal gasification (UCG) is one technology that can complement conventional mining by recovering the energy in unminable coal seams in the form of combustible gases. Coal is gasified underground by drilling boreholes into the coal seam and injecting air (or oxygen and steam) into the underground reaction zone. The hot product gases are forced through the coal to the exit borehole and are carried to the surface, where they are cleaned and processed for use.
- OSTI ID:
- 6781640
- Journal Information:
- Trans. Am. Nucl. Soc.; (United States), Journal Name: Trans. Am. Nucl. Soc.; (United States) Vol. 30; ISSN TANSA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
COAL
COAL GAS
COAL GASIFICATION
COAL RESERVES
ENERGY POLICY
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FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
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IN-SITU GASIFICATION
IN-SITU PROCESSING
MATERIALS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NATURAL GAS
NORTH AMERICA
PETROLEUM
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