The Technology
Underground coal gasification (UCG) is a cost-effective environmental solution for resource recovery in
areas beyond the technical and economic confines of conventional mining. Employing a series of wells, UCG
converts in situ coal into product gas, thus eliminating the expense of mining and reclamation.
The Products
- Low- to medium-heating-value gas suitable for simple or combined-cycle turbines or for cofiring in
existing power conversion systems
- Chemical feedstock
Keys to UCG Success
- Integrated technical, economic, and environmental feasibility assessments for specific markets and
infrastructures
- Solid partnerships with clients
Environmental and Economic Benefits
- No mining, transport, reclamation, and management of combustion residues are required.
- Less start-up capital, lower operating costs, and reduced construction time are necessary.
Technical Feasibility
- Detailed geology of the site, including hydrogeology and structure
- Detailed coal characterization
- Predicted product gas composition
- Infrastructure requirements
Economic Analysis
- Required capital investment, annual operating expenses, and gas selling price
- Product market analysis integrated into specific existing or planned infrastructure
- Financial resources data, i.e., equity capital, debt-to-equity ratio, return on investment, bond or
loan life, and applicable interest rates
- Tax data
Environmental Acceptability
- Environmental feasibility based on site-specific conditions
- Environmental impact assessment
- Compliance with regulatory requirements
- Systematic groundwater monitoring
Team Qualifications
The EERC has successfully conducted research related to energy and environmental issues for many years.
The EERC has been involved in UCG research, feasibility studies, and demonstration projects in the United
States and Asia over the past decades. As a result, the EERC and its partners provide clients with the
expertise needed to move a UCG program from feasibility study to technology demonstration and commercialization.
Experts in resource evaluation, site characterization design, process engineering, project development, monitoring,
economics, and product application specific to a wider socioeconomic framework are ready to provide clients with
tools for professionally based decisions in today's competitive energy market.