UCG Explained

02 UCG Series

CORPORATE SERIES
This information sheet provides a technical description of the Underground Coal
UCG SERIES
Gasification (UCG) process, the key parameters involved, factors in site selection
GTL SERIES
and the operational influences on gas quality.
ENVIRONMENT SERIES

The UCG process
UCG is the process of the gasification
of coal in-situ to produce a synthesis
gas (syngas). The operating life of a
UCG operation can be broadly broken
down into four steps:
1. Well construction and linkage:
Wells are drilled into the coal to
allow for oxidant injection and
product gas extraction. The wells
are linked or extended to form an
in-seam channel to facilitate oxidant
injection, cavity development and
syngas flow.
2. Ignition: The coal seam is
dried and then ignited.
3. Gas production: Syngas is produced
through combustion and gasification
reactions. Combustion produces
heat, carbon dioxide and some
syngas (through partial combustion).
Gasification reactions then take
place, involving heat and carbon
dioxide from combustion, pressure,
steam and carbon from the coal.
The syngas flows from the
gasification zone, through
constructed or formed horizontal
channels, to the gas production
well where it flows to the surface
for treatment.
4. Decommissioning: Once all the
available coal has been extracted
as a gaseous product, the
gasification process is shut
down according to known
and demonstrated shut
down procedures.

GTL /POWER SYNGAS OUT AIR/OXYGEN IN

PRODUCTION
Overview of the UCG Process

PRODUCTION WELL

WATER TABLE INJECTION WELL

HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE
CONTAINS THE UCG PROCESS

OVERBURDEN

UCG CAVITY

COAL SEAM

Figure 1: Overview of the UCG process

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UCG Explained
02 UCG Series

Well construction 1. In-seam directional drilling:

and linkage
Wells are constructed into the coal
seam. Construction varies depending
on whether a well is used in service as a
production well. In this case, it must be
constructed to withstand hot gases and
the effects of heating and cooling.
Linking the wells is necessary to ensure
a flow path between the injection and
production wells. Linking assists the
development of the cavity and the
collection of product gas.
Linkage can be achieved in a
number of ways:
This involves developing a horizontal
drill hole in the coal seam between
the two wells.
2. Artificial fracturing:
This involves pressurising the
coal, by using either air or water, to
crack the coal between the wells.
3. Reverse combustion:
This involves igniting the
seam and forming a linkage by
combusting a channel between
wells. The flow is then reversed
and gasification commences.
Linc Energy has trialled various
methods and is progressing with
in-seam directional drilling as the
preferred method for achieving linkage.

In Seam Drill Head

Figure 2: Directional Drilling (in-seam)

Ignition
Once the wells have been linked, the coal seam is partially dried. This is done by
blowing air through the injection well until the location of ignition is sufficiently dry.
The coal is then ignited, using any one of a variety of ignition methods.

Figure 3: Gas Velocity Profile (Linc Energy 2009)

Figure 4: Cavity Growth and Operating Temperature (standard two well

configuration) (Linc Energy 2009)

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Gasification and gas production
Following ignition, oxidants are injected and the
conversion of coal through gasification occurs by:
1. Oxidation and /or combustion reactions
2. Reduction
3. Pyrolysis, producing gas,
oils, char and vaporised tars.
Air (21 per cent oxygen), oxygen enriched air or pure
oxygen can be used as the oxidant in the process.
Using pure oxygen (or oxygen enriched air) results in a
higher temperature gasification reaction. The result is
different production gas composition and volumes. The
differences mainly relate to nitrogen, which is injected as
an inert component when air is the oxidant of choice. The
oxidant chosen will depend on economic considerations,
including the end use of the gas. During the UCG process,
exothermic (releasing heat) combustion reactions supply
the energy required by endothermic (absorbing heat)
reduction reactions.
The UCG process can be roughly divided into zones, with
the oxidation or reduction zone near the oxidant injection
point. This is followed by a gasification zone and pyrolysis
zone where the coal is exposed to temperature as a result
of radiant heat and hot gases passing over the coal.
Combustion (oxidation) stage reactions
Combustion of the coal generates heat (i.e. an exothermic
reaction) and other gases which are utilised in reactions
which occur in later stages. The combustion reactions are:
C + O CO + heat (complete combustion)
C + O CO + heat (partial combustion)
CO + O CO + heat
Figure 5: Linc Energy 3D Cavity Growth Model
The gasification process will progressively consume the
coal and create a cavity. The cavity will over time expand
in the direction of the flow of gases, namely towards
the production well. The lateral extent of combustion is
controlled by the quenching associated with inward flowing
groundwater.
The rate at which groundwater flows into the process is
governed by many factors, the main one being operating
pressure.
Reduction stage reactions
After the oxygen in the process is utilised during the
combustion stage and reducing conditions prevail, then
reduction reactions take place utilising the heat
from the combustion stage. These reactions include:
C + HO + heat H + CO
C + CO + heat 2CO
These reactions are heterogenous, meaning they are gas/
solid reactions (gas and coal reactions).
As the gas progresses through the process, homogenous
reactions (gas phase only) take place until the gas reaches
its equilibrium composition. Water vapour present in the
process promotes the water-gas-shift (WGS) reaction
that contributes significantly to the H/CO balance. Key
chemical reactions during this stage include:
CO + HO H + CO (WGS reaction)
CO + 3H CH4 + HO (methanation reaction)
The equilibrium gas composition is dictated by
temperature, pressure, the amount of water vapour present,
and the composition of the gas, once the heterogenous
reactions are complete. As the gaseous product has
enough residence time to reach equilibrium in the generator,
it is fairly easy to predict the composition of the produced
gas given a specific set of operating conditions.
Pyrolysis
As the coal loses its moisture it undergoes pyrolysis
(thermal decomposition) at temperatures close to 400C:
Coal CH4 + HO + Hydrocarbons + Tars + Volatile gases
Depending on the temperature of the process,
hydrocarbons and tars will either be consumed in the
process or be entrained in product gas where they
condense and are separated at the surface and can be
reused or reprocessed into valuable by-products.
 UCG Explained
02 UCG Series

Syngas composition Site selection

The composition of syngas produced The main factors to consider for the
will ultimately dictate what the gas can selection of a UCG site are:
be used for.
Calorific value will be important for Coal properties: Chemical nature,
power generation and the H/CO structure, depth and thickness
ratio will be relevant for chemical or Hydrogeology: Groundwater plays
petrochemical applications. an integral part of the UCG process
because it supplies water for the
Syngas will contain differing gasification reactions, and the
proportions of CO, H, CO, N, CH4, hydrostatic pressure serves to contain
water and gaseous hydrocarbons, the process. Operating the process
depending on various factors, below the hydrostatic pressure ensures
including: there is movement of water towards
the cavity, as well as movement of gas
1. The oxidant used: Due to the
towards the production well
presence of nitrogen, air will result in
lower gasification temperatures and Geology: Good structure and low
more inert gas dilution. The decision permeability of rock immediately
about whether to use oxygen or overlying the coal is favourable to
air as the oxidant is ultimately a limit subsidence and provide a seal
financial one. between the coal and overlying strata.

2. Water influences: The rate at which Decommissioning

groundwater (or introduced water)
contributes to the gasification
Shutting down the gasification process About Linc Energy
and ensuring the spent gasification
process ultimately dictates Linc Energy is a globally focused,
chamber does not contribute to
the hydrogen concentration in
groundwater contamination is a critical diversified energy company with a
the gas. This is influenced by
part in the lifecycle of a UCG operation. strong portfolio of coal, oil and gas
coal permeability, overburden
Decommissioning a UCG site involves a deposits. Linc Energys purpose is
permeability, natural or induced
number of key principles: to unlock the value of its resources
fracturing, coal moisture, hydrostatic
pressure, and operating pressure of While the process is still hot, allow to produce energy to fuel the future.
the cavity. groundwater to flow into the A public company, Linc Energy is
cavity to generate steam. the global leader in UCG, delivering
3. Coal quality (meaning reactivity, ash synthesis gas for commercially viable
This ensures any residual tars
content and structural properties):
or liquid hydrocarbons that may energy solutions (electricity, transport
The ideal coals for UCG shrink and
have condensed on the walls are fuels and oil production), via gas turbine
fall apart when heated. The break
remobilised as gas and flow combined cycle power generation,
into smaller particles provides a
through wells to the surface for Gas to Liquids processing and
larger surface area for reactions to
treatment or use Enhanced Oil Recovery.
take place. This includes most of the
lower rank coals. The groundwater inflows
quench the process
4. Operating temperature and The cavity is pumped out and flushed Related information sheets
pressure: With increasing pressure, until the water is clean (usually once
more methane and CO is produced, or twice). UCG, GTL and the Environment
while the yield of H and CO drops.
There are however, efficiency and Modern Practices in UCG
economic advantages to operating
gasification at high pressure.

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Brisbane QLD 4000 Denver CO 80202
AUSTRALIA UNITED STATES
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f +61 7 3229 6800 f +11 303 623 0547 linc@lincenergy.com www.lincenergy.com
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of the user. Linc Energy has made reasonable efforts to ensure that information in this information sheet is accurate at the time of its compilation, however there may be inadvertent errors or omissions for which Linc Energy apologises. To the extent
permitted by law, Linc Energy accepts no responsibility for any loss, damage, cost or expense whatsoever incurred by any person as a result of any use of or error or omission in or relating to, the information contained in this information sheet. LINC-UCG-02.2