Underground Coal Gasification in Mikasa City!

by Kazu

"Coalmine Utilizing Research Association" in Mikasa City visited the laboratory of Muroran Institute of Technology in Ikushunbetsu area of the city. The members of the association were shown the experiment to extract combustible gas such as ethane, hydrogen and carbon monoxide from the coal layer under the ground.
Underground coal gasification has been conducted in Russia, U.S.A. and Canada. Burning coal deep under the ground caused ground subsidence in Russia but as no residents were around the UCG plant, no damages to the citizens of the pertinent area. A few blocks of coal are inside this drum and burned gradually by controlling air and steam to put into the drum. While the coal is burning, the sound of cracks can be recognized by some sensors and recorded on the paper. The sound of cracks shows the speed of burning.

The combustible gas can be extracted through this pipe and measured by the sensors.

The gas is divided and purified with this machine .No ashes are produced with this system albeit the layer of coal lose the
strength to support the upper layer.

The combustible gas was ignited in the darkness of Ikushunbetsu area where almost no outdoor lamp. This UCG project and the gas extracted from the layer of coal have the possibility to be a trail blazer and the light of hope but we are searching for next step to go. If any recommendation to this experiment, please contact me at ikeda.kazuaki@pref.hokkaido.lg.jp