Underground coal gasification (UCG) is an important technique for future coal utilization. It has the potential to be a clean technology and to tap un-mineable, deep coal deposits across the world. Commercialization of UCG has been riddled with a variety of issues, including public perception and a lack of clear comprehension about underlying physicochemical phenomena. This book will bridge the gap in knowledge and highlight the modern findings related to the complex interactions in UCG. With a focus on the chemical reactions in UCG and treating the underground coal cavity as “nature’s own chemical reactor”, various mathematical modeling studies that serve to unravel some of the mysteries of this decades-old technique will be revealed.

The book deals with development of comprehensive computational models for simulating underground coal gasification (UCG). It starts with an introduction to the UCG process and process modelling inputs in the form of reaction kinetics, flow patterns, spalling rate, and transport coefficient that are elaborated with methods to generate the same are described with illustrations. All the known process models are reviewed, and relative merits and limitations of the modeling approaches are highlighted and compared. The book describes all the necessary steps required to determine the techno-economic feasibility of UCG process for a given coal reserve, through modeling and simulation.

Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) is carried out in unmined coal seams, using wells drilled from the surface and converting coal into synthesis gas. The gas can be used for power generation and synthesis of automotive fuels, fertilizers and other products. UCG offers financial, social, and environmental benefits over conventional coal extraction and utilization methods and may play a critical role in ensuring energy security in the future. Underground Coal Gasification and Combustion provides an overview of underground coal gasification technology, its current status and future directions. Comprehensive in approach, the book covers history, science, technology, hydrogeology, rock mechanics, environmental performance, economics, regulatory and commercial aspects of UCG projects. The first book on the subject in forty years, it is unique in analysing more than a century of global UCG developments by experts from Australia, Canada, Poland, Russia, Ukraine, United Kingdom, the USA and Uzbekistan. - Provides researchers, engineers, industry, educators and regulators with an authoritative overview of science and practical applications of underground coal gasification technologies - Offers insight into efficiency, environmental performance, costs, permitting issues and commercial aspects of UCG projects - Written by scientists and practitioners of UCG technology sharing hands-on experience of step-by-step UCG implementation