In situ gasification process for producing product gas enriched in carbon monoxide and hydrogen
- Morgantown, WV
The present invention is directed to an in situ coal gasification process wherein the combustion zone within the underground coal bed is fed with air at increasing pressure to increase pressure and temperature in the combustion zone for forcing product gases and water naturally present in the coal bed into the coal bed surrounding the combustion zone. No outflow of combustion products occurs during the build-up of pressure and temperature in the combustion zone. After the coal bed reaches a temperature of about 2000.degree. F and a pressure in the range of about 100-200 psi above pore pressure the airflow is terminated and the outflow of the combustion products from the combustion zone is initiated. The CO.sub.2 containing gaseous products and the water bleed back into the combustion zone to react endothermically with the hot carbon of the combustion zone to produce a burnable gas with a relatively high hydrogen and carbon monoxide content. About 11 to 29 percent of the gas recovered from the combustion zone is carbon monoxide which is considerably better than the 4 to 10 percent carbon monoxide obtained by employing previously known coal gasification techniques.
- Research Organization:
- National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), Pittsburgh, PA, Morgantown, WV (United States)
- Assignee:
- United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4122897
- OSTI ID:
- 863214
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
gasification
process
producing
product
gas
enriched
carbon
monoxide
hydrogen
directed
coal
combustion
zone
underground
bed
fed
air
increasing
pressure
increase
temperature
forcing
gases
water
naturally
surrounding
outflow
products
occurs
build-up
reaches
2000
degree
range
100-200
psi
pore
airflow
terminated
initiated
containing
gaseous
bleed
react
endothermically
hot
produce
burnable
relatively
content
11
29
percent
recovered
considerably
10
obtained
employing
previously
techniques
percent carbon
monoxide content
underground coal
situ gasification
coal bed
product gases
product gas
combustion products
combustion zone
carbon monoxide
coal gasification
gaseous product
containing gas
gasification process
coal gas
gaseous products
combustion product
pore pressure
situ coal
water natural
hot carbon
oxide content
situ gas
producing product
containing gaseous
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