UCG pilot tests in the United States and their contributions to modern UCG technologies

Authors

HUANG Wan, Guizhou Youchi Energy Technology Co., Ltd., Guiyang 550014, China; China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, ChinaFollow
WANG Jun, Guizhou Youchi Energy Technology Co., Ltd., Guiyang 550014, China
WANG Lingxia, Guizhou Youchi Energy Technology Co., Ltd., Guiyang 550014, China; Guizhou Provincial Coalfield Geology Bureau, Guiyang 550081, China
YI Tongsheng, Guizhou Provincial Coalfield Geology Bureau, Guiyang 550081, China
CHEN Kexin, Guizhou Youchi Energy Technology Co., Ltd., Guiyang 550014, China
QIN Yong, Guizhou Youchi Energy Technology Co., Ltd., Guiyang 550014, China; China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, ChinaFollow

Abstract

The industrialization of underground coal gasification (UCG), which is conducive to the transformation and development of the coal energy structure and the improvement in the low-carbon utilization level of coal resources, is an environmentally friendly energy development technology in line with the sustainable development strategy. The international energy crisis from the 1980s to the 1990s prompted the United States to vigorously develop UCG technologies. Accordingly, this country has successively carried out six series of UCG pilot tests, which contribute greatly to the progress in UCG technologies and provided the critical foundation for the formation of modern UCG technologies worldwide. This study systematically collects and summarizes over 40 years of UCG pilot test results in the United States and sorts the development paths of key technologies, with the purpose of providing inspiration and a reference for the ongoing industrialization process of UCG technologies in China. The results show that the United States has determined the coal seams and coal quality suitable for the applications of UCG technologies through UCG pilot tests and technical exploration. Moreover, this country has innovatively developed drilling-type UCG and relevant processes. Most especially, it has invented the controlled retractable injection point (CRIP) and parallel CRIP (P-CRIP) technologies, providing solutions to three technical challenges: gasification channel construction, gasification process control, and synthesis gas quality improvement. The United States has proposed the technical philosophy of the mutual fusion of adjacent cavities, which lays the feasible foundation for expanding the scale of UCG gasification from a single gasifier. The systematic collaborative R&D (research and development) schemes of science and technologies organized and implemented at the governmental level are the key to the longstanding innovation of UCG technologies in the United States. Nevertheless, there are still many technical challenges to be further solved in the UCG test series in the United States, such as the geological sealing performance of UCG gasifiers and its dynamic monitoring and evaluation, the dynamic monitoring and stability of gasification channels, technologies for guaranteeing the full gasification of coal seams, technologies for the safe and effective expansion of the gasifier width, the environmental monitoring and control of UCG gasifiers, and UCG technologies closely combined with carbon emission reduction. These challenges provide the focus for the development of UCG technologies in China.

Keywords

underground coal gasification (UCG), pilot test, technological innovation, United States, contribution

DOI

10.12363/issn.1001-1986.22.12.0993

Recommended Citation

HUANG Wan, WANG Jun, WANG Lingxia, et al. (2023) "UCG pilot tests in the United States and their contributions to modern UCG technologies," Coal Geology & Exploration: Vol. 51: Iss. 7, Article 5.
DOI: 10.12363/issn.1001-1986.22.12.0993
Available at: https://cge.researchcommons.org/journal/vol51/iss7/5

Reference

[1] 秦勇,王作棠,韩磊. 煤炭地下气化中的地质问题[J]. 煤炭学报,2019,44(8):2516−2530.

QIN Yong,WANG Zuotang,HAN Lei. Geological problems in underground coal gasification[J]. Journal of China Coal Society,2019,44(8):2516−2530.

[2] 刘峰,郭林峰,赵路正. 双碳背景下煤炭安全区间与绿色低碳技术路径[J]. 煤炭学报,2022,47(1):1−15.

LIU Feng,GUO Linfeng,ZHAO Luzheng. Research on coal safety range and green low–carbon technology path under the dual–carbon background[J]. Journal of China Coal Society,2022,47(1):1−15.

[3] 韩磊,秦勇,王作棠. 煤炭地下气化炉选址的地质影响因素[J]. 煤田地质与勘探,2019,47(2):44−50.

HAN Lei,QIN Yong,WANG Zuotang. Geological consideration for site selection of underground coal gasifier[J]. Coal Geology & Exploration,2019,47(2):44−50.

[4] 王志刚,付小锦,梁杰,等. 天津静海含煤区无井式煤炭地下气化选址地质评价模型[J]. 煤田地质与勘探,2019,47(3):41−48.

WANG Zhigang,FU Xiaojin,LIANG Jie,et al. Geological evaluation model for site selection of underground coal gasification without well in Jinghai coal–bearing area,Tianjin,China[J]. Coal Geology & Exploration,2019,47(3):41−48.

[5] 朱利辉,冯备战,胡永兴,等. 华亭烟煤地下气化污染物分布及富集规律[J]. 煤田地质与勘探,2021,49(3):18−25.

ZHU Lihui,FENG Beizhan,HU Yongxing,et al. Distribution and enrichment of pollutants from underground gasification of bituminous coal in Huating Mining Area[J]. Coal Geology & Exploration,2021,49(3):18−25.

[6] 蒋秀明,吴财芳. 煤炭地下气化地质可行性和工艺适用性研究现状与进展[J]. 煤田地质与勘探,2022,50(5):1−12.

JIANG Xiuming,WU Caifang. A review:Geological feasibility and technological applicability of underground coal gasification[J]. Coal Geology & Exploration,2022,50(5):1−12.

[7] 秦勇,易同生,汪凌霞,等. 面向项目风险控制的煤炭地下气化地质条件分析[J]. 煤炭学报,2023,48(1):290−306.

QIN Yong,YI Tongsheng,WANG Lingxia,et al. Analysis of geological conditions for risk control of UCG project[J]. Journal of China Coal Society,2023,48(1):290−306.

[8] BETTS A G. Method of utilizing buried coal. US Patent No. 947608，Issued 1910[EB/OL]. [2022-12-15]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/7204890.

[9] KLIMENKO A Y. Early ideas in underground coal gasification and their evolution[J]. Energies,2009,2(2):456−476.

[10] SAPTIKOV I M. History of UCG development in the USSR [M]. In：Underground Coal Gasification and Combustion，Michael S B and Klimenko A Y (editors). Amsterdam：Elsevier Ltd，2017：25–58.

[11] PERKINS G. Underground coal gasification Part I:Field demonstrations and process performance[J]. Progress in Energy and Combustion Science,2018,67:158−187.

[12] CAMP D W. A review of underground coal gasification research and development in the United States[R]. San Francisco：Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory，2017.

[13] CAMP D W. Underground coal gasification research and development in the United States[M]. In：Underground Coal Gasification and Combustion，Michael S B and Klimenko A Y (editors). London：Woodhead Publishing，2018：59–127.

[14] Gas Tech Inc. Viability of underground coal gasification in the“deep coals”of the Powder River Basin，Wyoming[R]. Cheyenne：Energy Office of the Wyoming State，2007.

[15] PEI Peng,NASAH J,SOLC J,et al. Investigation of the feasibility of underground coal gasification in North Dakota,United States[J]. Energy Conversion and Management,2016,113:95−103.

[16] RUPP J，SHAFIROVICH E，VARMA A，et al. The potential for underground coal gasification in Indiana[R]. Indianapolis：Indiana Center for Coal Technology Research (CCTR)，2009.

[17] FRIEDMANN S J. Underground coal gasification in the USA and abroad[C]. Washington：Congressional Hearing on Climate Change，US Senate Foreign Relations Committee，2005.

[18] HILL R W，THORSNESS C B，CENA R J，et al. Results of the Centralia underground coal gasification field test[C]. Washington：Proceedings of 10th Annual UCG Symposium，1984.

[19] KUHNEL R A，SCHMIT C R，EYLANDS K E，et al. Comparison of the pyrometamorphism of clayey rocks during underground coal gasification and firing of structural ceramics[J]. Applied Clay Science，1993，8(2/3)：129–146.

[20] THORSNESS C B，BRITTEN J A. Underground coal gasification project：Final report，LLNL UCID–21853[R]. Francisco：Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory，1989.

[21] CENA R J，THORSNESS C B，BRITTEN J A. Assessment of the CRIP (Controlled Retracting Injection Point) process for underground coal gasification：The Rocky Mountain I test[C]. Denver：American Institute of Chemical Engineers Summer National Meeting，1988.

[22] CENA R J，BRITTEN J A，THORSNESS C B. Excavation of the partial seam CRIP underground coal gasification test site[C]. In：Proceedings 13th Annual Underground Coal Gasification Symposium. Morgantown：US Department of Energy，1987：382–390.

[23] BLINDERMAN M S，ANDERSON B. Underground coal gasification for power generation：High efficiency and CO₂–emissions[C]. Baltimor：ASME 2004 Power Conference，2004.

[24] BLINDERMAN M S. The exergy underground coal gasification technology as a source of superior fuel for power generation[C]. Atlanta：ASME 2006 Power Conference，2006.

[25] BLINDERMAN M S，GRUBER G P，MAEV S I. Commercial underground coal gasification：Performance and economics[C]. San Francisco：2011 Gasification Technologies Conference，2011.

[26] DENNIS D S. Rocky Mountain 1 UCG test project Hanna，Wyoming–final technical report for the period 1986 to 2006[R]. Washington：Washington Group International，for DOE–NETL，2006.

[27] Alberta Energy Regulator. Swan h\ills synfuels ltd wellblow out October10，2011. Calgary：Technical Report，IR–2014225，2014.

[28] Queensland State Government. Bloodwood creek underground coal gasification project[EB/OL]. (2016-07-26) [2021-04-12]. https://www.qld.gov.au/ environment/pollution/management/eis–process/projects/withdrawn–lapsed/bloodwood–creek–underground–coal–gasification–project.

[29] GEMMELL C. Independent review of underground coal gasification[R]. Edinburgh：The Scottish Government，2016.

[30] KAPUSTA K,STANCZYK K,WIATOWSKI M,et al. Environmental aspects of a field–scale underground coal gasification trial in a shallow coal seam at the experimental mine Barbara in Poland[J]. Fuel,2013,113:196−208.

[31] THORSNESS C B，CENA R J. In–situ coal gasification modeling. Berkeley：Lawrence Livermore Laboratory，University of California，1979.

[32] GREGG D W，HILL R W，OLNESS D U. Overview of the Soviet effort in underground gasification of coal[C]. Berkeley：Lawrence Livermore Laboratory，1976.

[33] CENA R J，BRITTEN J A，THORSNESS C B. Resource recovery and cavity growth during the Rocky Mountain I field test[C]. In：Proceedings 14th Annual Underground Coal Gasification Symposium. Morgantown：US Department of Energy，1988：200–212.

[34] BENDEREV A，BOJADGIEVA K. Dobrudza Coal Basin：Exploration for underground coal gasification and CO₂ storage[C]. In：Ecological Problems in Mineral Raw Materials Branch (International Scientific and Technical Conference). Varna：Bulgarian Academy of Sciences，2011.

[35] KEMPKA T,FERNANDEZ–STEEGER T,LI Dongyong,et al. Carbon dioxide sorption capacities of coal gasification residues[J]. Environmental Science and Technology,2011,45(4):1719−1723.

[36] GREEN M，RIPPON J，SAGE P，et al. Underground coal gasification in deep coal seams with carbon capture and storage[C]. Pittsburgh：22nd International Pittsburgh Coal Conference，2005.

[37] DERMOT J R,PAUL L Y. Underground coal gasification with CCS:A pathway to decarbonising industry[J]. Energy & Environmental Science,2010,3(4):400−407.

[38] DURUCAN S,KORRE A,SHI Jiquan,et al. TOPS:Technology options for coupled underground coal gasification and CO₂ capture and storage[J]. Energy Procedia,2014,63:5827−5835.