Report on progress in underground coal gasification. [22 references]

Conference · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1975

OSTI ID:7199060

Shuck, L Z; Pasini, J III

The feasibility of underground gasification of coal is reviewed as a result of the changed conditions resulting from the energy crisis, experience in various countries, and certain new ideas developed by MERC (which were later found to be very similar to methods proven in the Soviet Union). While underground gasification of coal has been tried in many countries, it is only in the Soviet Union that the process became commercial; while many of the trial efforts were not very successful, some progress was being made; but the process could not compete with the cheap oil and natural gas available in many areas. After the energy crisis, MERC reviewed the concept and developed some new ideas; other US groups also became more enthusiastic. The following concepts are discussed: lignite and subbituminous coals are considered more satisfactory for underground gasification than higher-rank coals; using air, a gas of only 100-150 Btu/SCF can be produced, which must be used locally, or it can be uprated by surface gasification; certain methods developed by MERC and by the Soviets appear to avoid problems encountered earlier. The method seems attractive for recovery of the large amounts of coal that exist in thin, low-grade seams and as an alternative to the complex, surface gasification methods undergoing development. (LTN)

• Research Organization: Energy Research and Development Administration, Morgantown, W.Va. (USA). Morgantown Energy Research Center
• OSTI ID: 7199060
• Report Number(s): CONF-751171-1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010404* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Gasification
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
294001 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Coal
COAL GASIFICATION
ENERGY POLICY
GASIFICATION
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
IN-SITU GASIFICATION
IN-SITU PROCESSING
NORTH AMERICA
PROCESSING
RECOMMENDATIONS
USA