In-Situ Coal Gasification Borehole Network for Combustion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional underground coal gasification processes face challenges in controlling combustion and containing toxic chemical releases, leading to unsuccessful commercialization and environmental contamination.
Innovation Solution
A process for controlled in-situ coal gasification involving surveying coal sites, designing panels and sub-panels with bi-directional and vertical boreholes, combusting coal using control retreating ignition point technology, and monitoring cavities with an image acquisition device to remotely fill filling materials via a filling device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional underground coal gasification process is used, then coal can be gasified to produce syngas, but combustion cannot be controlled and toxic chemicals are released into the environment
Solution Approach 1:
The coal seam is divided into multiple panels and sub-panels with specific borehole configurations. Each panel is independently managed with controlled ignition points, allowing segmented combustion control. The bi-directional boreholes are strategically positioned to create controlled reaction zones that prevent uncontrolled chemical release.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors gasification progress and combustion conditions through the borehole network. Based on feedback from gas composition analysis and pressure monitoring, the ignition points are dynamically adjusted to maintain controlled combustion and prevent toxic chemical escape into the environment.
2Productivity
If conventional UCG process is used, then energy extraction is possible, but containment and removal of chemicals from environment cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The bi-directional boreholes serve as intermediary channels that facilitate controlled chemical transport. These boreholes are positioned to intercept and redirect potentially harmful chemicals away from the environment while maintaining energy extraction efficiency. The vertical service boreholes act as additional intermediaries for monitoring and containment.
Solution Approach 2:
The boreholes are pre-positioned and the panel configuration is designed in advance to anticipate and prevent chemical escape. The ignition points are strategically located to ensure combustion occurs in controlled zones that are predetermined to contain chemical byproducts, preventing environmental contamination before it occurs.
3Productivity
If traditional mining approaches are used, then coal can be extracted, but surface damages occur and mine safety issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical mining systems with a thermal gasification system. Instead of physically removing coal through mining equipment that causes surface damage, the system uses controlled combustion and gasification reactions to convert coal in-situ, eliminating the need for surface mining operations and associated environmental damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts energy and combustible gases directly from the coal seam through boreholes without removing the coal physically. The gasification products are drawn through the borehole network to the surface, separating the energy extraction function from the mechanical extraction process that causes surface damage.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables controlled coal gasification with reduced environmental impact, eliminating surface damages, and increasing domestic resource availability by utilizing un-mineable coal, while minimizing costs and emissions.
Implementation Method 1
controlling remote filling of a filling material simultaneously at the at least one cavity using the filling device
Implementation Method 2
monitoring physical condition of at least one cavity created by extraction of the combusted coal from the one or more coal slice areas using an image acquisition device
Data Source
AI summary
A process for controlled in-situ coal gasification is disclosed. The process includes surveying one or more selected coal bearing sites for designing a plurality of panels; designing a plurality of sub-panels of a plurality of corresponding panels with a plurality of bi-directional boreholes and a plurality of vertical service boreholes; channelizing the plurality of bi-directional boreholes and vertical service boreholes to one or more layers of coal seams; constructing one or more coal slice areas of predefined dimensions within the one or more layers of the coal seams; combusting coal inside the one or more coal slice areas; extracting combusted coal from the one or more coal slice areas through the plurality of vertical service boreholes; monitoring physical condition of at least one cavity created by extraction of the combusted coal; controlling remote filling of a filling material simultaneously at the at least one cavity using the filling device.