Underground coal gasification
One of the newest CO2 technologies is Underground Coal Gasification (UCG). Conceptualized in 1868 and demonstrated on a broad commercial scale in the 1960s Soviet Union, UCG is now emerging as an important green technology with enormous potential to reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. In recent years the technology has been successfully demonstrated in Australia and in the European Union. China is currently operating 14 UCG demonstration plants.
UCG processes coal where it lies, eliminating the environmental hazards of mining. In the process, coal is converted into a syngas through partial oxidation, creating the same reactions as surface gasifiers. The syngas generates “feedstocks” for several products, including electric power, chemicals, liquid fuels, hydrogen, and synthetic natural gas.
UCG allows for extensive pollution control and costs less to construct and operate than equivalent plants using surface gasifiers. The process has the potential to greatly enhance energy security, environmental sustainability, and economic competitiveness.
- UCG could increase usable coal in the U.S. by 300-400%.
- Capital costs for UCG plants are substantially less than the equivalent plant using surface gasifiers.
- UCG can substantially reduce the pollution output and reduce local water demands for the production of power or products.
- It substantially reduces the cost of deployed carbon capture and sequestration because UCG plants are cheaper to build and operate.
- UCG is a proven technology. Commercial-scale tests are underway in the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, China, and South Africa.
