Technology

UCG Overview

UCG offers high recovery levels of energy from coal seam methane extraction offering the opportunity to access otherwise untapped coal reserves. With the growing demand for environmentally friendly use of coal deposits, UCG has significant advantages, including;

• UCG does not involve mining, has a limited impact on the surface and environmental controls are in place to ensure the sub surface is not adversely affected.
• UCG has the ability to bring vast tonnages of otherwise stranded coal to account in an environmentally friendly process. It is more efficient in utilising the energy in the coal than coal methane gas extraction and cheaper than using above ground gasification techniques.
• UCG provides for lower capital costs and quicker development time as compared to conventional mining.
• UCG can provide up to 95% recovery of coal resource, similar if not better than conventional mining, and up to 85% of total energy recovery.

UCG Process Description

Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) is a method of exploiting underground coal deposits, without mining, typically 150m – 350m below surface. The processes comprises a number of steps, including;

• Air or oxygen/steam is injected down the first well into the reactor.
• Heats coal at depth (insitu) converting the coal to synthesis gas (syngas).
• The syngas (H2, CO, CH₄ & CO₂) is brought to surface and used for:
  • power generation or
  • converted to liquid fuel (eg. clean diesel) or chemicals.