Underground Coal Gasification: A Near‐Term Alternate Fuel
Publication: Journal of Energy Engineering
Volume 110, Issue 2
Abstract
Since the beginning of this century underground coal gasification has been considered as an alternative to mining as a means of utilizing the coal resources not recoverable by conventional methods. The energy crunch of the seventies gave a new impetus to it, and several tests were conducted in the U.S. to demonstrate the feasibility of this method in both horizontal and steeply dipping coal resources. Gulf Research & Development Company has conducted two successful underground coal gasification tests near Rawlins, Wyoming, in steeply dipping coal beds. The results of these tests indicate that the present state of the art is advanced enough for utilization of this technique for commercial purposes. A right combination of resource, consumer, and economic factors will dictate future commercialization of underground coal gasification for the U.S. coal resources.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Energy Engineering
Volume 110 • Issue 2 • June 1984
Pages: 89 - 99
Copyright
Copyright © 1984 ASCE.
History
Published online: Jun 1, 1984
Published in print: Jun 1984
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