Environmental benefits of underground coal gasification

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Sequentially coupled flow-geomechanical modeling of underground coal gasification for a three-dimensional problem

Underground coal gasification (UCG) has been identified as an environmentally friendly technique for gasification of deep un-mineable coal seams in situ. This technology has the potential to be a clean and promising energy provider from coal seams with minimal greenhouse gas emission. The UCG eliminates the presence of coal miners underground hence, it is believed to be a much safer technique compared to the deep coal mining method. The UCG includes drilling injection and production wells into the coal seam, igniting coal, and injecting oxygen-based mix to facilitate coal gasification. Produced syngas is extracted from the production well. Evolution of a cavity created from the gasification process along with high temperature as well as change in pore fluid pressure causes mechanical changes to the coal and surrounding formations. Therefore, simulation of the gasification process alone is not sufficient to represent this complex thermal-hydro-chemical–mechanical process. Instead, a coupled flow and geomechanical modeling can help better represent the process by allowing simultaneous observation of the syngas production, advancement of the gasification chamber, and the cavity growth. Adaptation of such a coupled simulation would aid in optimization of the UCG process while helping controlling and mitigating the environmental risks caused by geomechanical failure and syngas loss to the groundwater. This paper presents results of a sequentially coupled flow-geomechanical simulation of a three-dimensional (3D) UCG example using the numerical methodology devised in this study. The 3D model includes caprock on top, coal seam in the middle, and another layer of rock underneath. Gasification modeling was conducted in the Computer Modelling Group Ltd. (CMG)’s Steam, Thermal, and Advanced processes Reservoir Simulator (STARS). Temperature and fluid pressure of each grid block as well as the cavity geometry, at the timestep level, were passed from the STARS to the geomechanical simulator i.e. the Fast Lagrangian Analysis of Continua in 3 Dimensions (FLAC3D) computer program (from the Itasca Consulting Group Inc.). Key features of the UCG process which were investigated herein include syngas flow rate, cavity growth, temperature and pressure profiles, porosity and permeability changes, and stress and deformation in coal and rock layers. It was observed that the coal matrix deformed towards the cavity, displacement and additional stress happened, and some blocks in the coal and rock layers mechanically failed.     

褐煤地下气化过程汞析出规律的研究

在褐煤地下气化模型试验的基础上 ,研究了褐煤中汞的赋存形态 ,褐煤地下气化煤气中汞含量的变化及存在形态 ,以及气化工艺的影响 ;分析了地下气化过程中汞的析出及反应机理 .实验结果表明 ,汞在试验褐煤中主要以硫化物结合态和残渣态形式存在 ;褐煤地下气化煤气中汞含量随气化时间的变化而变化 ,且主要以Hg0 (g)的形态存在 ;水蒸汽的存在会降低Hg0 (g)被其它气体氧化为Hg2 (g)的趋势 ;与地面气化及燃煤过程不同 ,煤地下气化产物中 ,气态汞占总汞比例低于 2 0 % ,明显低于地面气化及燃煤     

烟煤地下气化过程中硫的转化规律研究

在烟煤炭地下气化模型试验的基础上,研究了气化炉温度、气化工艺等对硫转化的影响;在纯氧气化工艺条件下,煤气中含硫气体的形态和含量主要受温度的影响,产生的H2S浓度在600～700℃达到最大值为7400mg·m-3,SO2在1000℃时达到最大值为270 mg·m-3.在纯氧-水蒸气工艺阶段,煤气中的含硫气体形态主要受煤气中氢气含量的影响,但在纯氧-水蒸气工艺后期,含硫气体量又转变为温度的函数.煤炭地下气化过程中,煤中的硫大部分以含硫气体的形式分布在煤气中;只有小部分硫分布在灰渣、焦油和冷凝水中.     

褐煤地下气化过程中铅和砷的迁移规律的研究

在煤炭地下气化模型试验的基础上,研究了褐煤原煤及其气化产物中的铅和砷的含量和分布,进行了铅和砷的质量平衡计算,并分析了其析出的反应机理.实验结果表明,铅在原煤中以残渣态23.07%、碳酸盐和铁锰氧化物结合态53.96%、硫化物结合态22.96%存在,而砷则以残渣态47.73%、有机结合态7.95%、硫化物结合态40.90%存在.在气化过程中63.65%的铅和56.23%的砷残存在地下煤灰中,1.15%的Pb和6.62%的As转化到煤气冷凝水中,35.20%的Pb和37.15%的As转化到煤气中.     

Reaction rate constants in simulation of underground coal gasification using porous medium approach

Underground coal gasification (UCG) is an emerging energy technology for a cleaner type of coal extraction method. It avoids current coal mining challenges such as drastic changes to landscapes, high machinery costs, elevated risks to personnel, and post-extraction transport. UCG has a huge potential to provide a clean coal energy source by implementing carbon capture and storage techniques as part of the process. In order to support mitigation strategies for clean coal production and policy development, much research needs to be completed. One component of this information is the need to understand what happens when the coal burns and a subsurface cavity is formed. This paper looks at the efforts to enhance reliable prediction of the size and shape of the cavities. Reactions are one of the most important mechanisms that control the rate of the growth of the cavities. Therefore, modeling the reactions and precise prediction of reaction kinetics can influence the accuracy of a UCG process. The produced syngas composition during UCG is closely linked to the reactions that take place in this process, the permeability of the coal seam, and the temperature distribution. Since the combination of reactions can influence the distributions of the heat and gas components in the coal seam during UCG or even extinguish the combustion, accurate modeling of the reactions is crucial, particularly when all phenomena affecting the reaction rate are considered in a single set of kinetics. In this study, procedures are proposed to estimate the frequency factor and activation energy of the pyrolysis reaction using a single-step decomposition method, the kinetics of the endothermic direction of homogeneous reversible reactions, and the frequency factor of heterogeneous reactions from experiments or literature data. The estimated kinetics is more appropriate for simulation of the UCG process using the porous medium approach. Computer Modelling Group’s CMG-STARS (Steam, Thermal, and Advanced Processes Reservoir Simulator) software is used in this study.     

Overview and modeling of mechanical and thermomechanical impact of underground coal gasification exploitation

From an economic point of view Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) is a promising technology that can be used to reach coal resources that are difficult or expensive to by conventional mining methods. Furthermore, the process addresses safety concerns, by avoiding the presence of workers underground. An optimal UCG process requires the integration of various scientific fields (chemistry, geochemistry, geomechanics) and the demonstration of limited of environmental impacts. This paper focuses on the mechanical component of the UCG operation and its impact on the surrounding environment in terms of stability and land subsidence. The mechanical components are also considered. Underground mining by coal combustion UCG challenges include the mechanical behavior of the site and of stability of the overburden rock layers. By studying the underground reactor, its inlet and outlet, we confirm the key role played by mechanical damage and thermo-mechanical phenomena are identified. Deformation or collapse above the cavity may cause a collapse in the overlying layers or subsidence at the surface level. These phenomena are highly dependent on the thermoporomechanical behavior of the rock surrounding the cavity (the host rocks). Unlike conventional methods, the UCG technology introduces an additional variable into the physical problem: the high temperatures, which evolve with time and space. In this framework, we performed numerical analyses of the coal site that could be exploited using this method. The numerical results presented in this paper are derived from models based on different assumptions describing a raw geological background. Several 3D (3 dimensional) and 2D (2 dimensional, plane) nonlinear finite element modelings are performed based on two methods. The first assumes a rock medium as a perfect thermo-elastoplastic continuum. In the second, in order to simulate large space scale crack propagation explicitly, we develop a method based upon finite element deactivation. This method is built on a finite element mesh refinement and uses Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion. Based on the analysis of the numerical results, we can highlight two main factors influencing the behavior and the mechanical stability of the overburden, and consequently the UCG process evolution. The first is the size of the cavity. This geometrical parameter, which is common to all types of coal exploitation, is best controlled using the classic exploitation method. We show that in the case of UCG, the shape of the cavity and its evolution over time can be modified considerably by the thermomechanical behavior of the host rocks. The second is the presence of a heat source whose location and intensity evolve over time. Even if thermal diffusivity of the rock is low and only a small distance from the coal reactor is thermally affected, we show that the induced mechanical changes extend significantly in the overburden, and that subsidence can therefore be estimated at the surface. We conclude the integration of the mechanical analysis into a risk analysis process mechanical analysis can be integrated in a thorough risk analysis.     

Cost comparison of syngas production from natural gas conversion and underground coal gasification

Underground coal gasification (UCG) is a promising technology to reduce the cost of producing syngas from coal. Coal is gasified in place, which may make it safer, cleaner and less expensive than using a surface gasifier. UCG provides an efficient approach to mitigate the tension between supplying energy and ensuring sustainable development. However, the coal gasification industry presently is facing competition from the low price of natural gas. The technology needs to be reviewed to assess its competiveness. In this paper, the production cost of syngas from an imaginary commercial-scale UCG plant was broken down and calculated. The produced syngas was assumed to be used as feedstock in liquid fuel production through the Fischer-Tropsch process or methanol synthesis. The syngas had a hydrogen (H₂) to carbon monoxide (CO) ratio of 2. On this basis, its cost was compared with the cost of syngas produced from natural gas. The results indicated that the production cost of syngas from natural gas is mainly determined by the price of natural gas, and varied from $24.46 per thousand cubic meters (TCM) to $90.09/TCM, depending on the assumed price range of natural gas. The cost of producing UCG syngas is affected by the coal seam depth and thickness. Using the Harmon lignite bed in North Dakota, USA, as an example, the cost of producing syngas through UCG was between $37.27/TCM and $39.80/TCM. Therefore, the cost of UCG syngas was within the cost range of syngas produced by natural gas conversion. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to investigate how the cost varies with coal depth and thickness. It was found that by utilizing thicker coal seams, syngas production per cavity can be increased, and the number of new wells drilled per year can be reduced, therefore improving the economics of UCG. Results of this study indicate the competitiveness of UCG regarding to natural gas conversion technologies, and can be used to guide UCG site selection and to optimize the operation strategy.     

A life cycle comparison of greenhouse emissions for power generation from coal mining and underground coal gasification

Underground coal gasification (UCG) is an advancing technology that is receiving considerable global attention as an economic and environmentally friendly alternative for exploitation of coal deposits. UCG has the potential to decrease greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) during the development and utilization of coal resources. In this paper, the life cycle of UCG from in situ coal gasification to utilization for electricity generation is analyzed and compared with coal extraction through conventional coal mining and utilization in power plants. Four life cycle assessment models have been developed and analyzed to compare (greenhouse gas) GHG emissions of coal mining, coal gasification and power generation through conventional pulverized coal fired power plants (PCC), supercritical coal fired (SCPC) power plants, integrated gasification combined cycle plants for coal (Coal-IGCC), and combined cycle gas turbine plants for UCG (UCG-CCGT). The analysis shows that UCG is comparable to these latest technologies and in fact, the GHG emissions from UCG are about 28 % less than the conventional PCC plant. When combined with the economic superiority, UCG has a clear advantage over competing technologies. The comparison also shows that there is considerable reduction in the GHG emissions with the development of technology and improvements in generation efficiencies.     

ISO14000标准中重大环境因素的判别方法

建立符合、有效的环境管理体系是组织实施 ISO14000环境管理标准的主要内容,而判别重大环境因素则是这一过程的基础和关键．本文探讨了判别重大环境因素的原则和标准,总结和介绍了多标准综合评价法、等标污染负荷－排污频率法等重大环境因素判别方法．     

Analysis of organic compounds in coal gasification wastewater

A procedure for analysis of organic pollutants in coal gasification wastewater was developed, including a series extraction steps at different pH, followed by LC separation or resin adsorption, then analyzed by GC or GC/MS. More than 200 organic pollutants in 22 categories were determined. CH2CL2 extraction at NaHCO3 presence was used to separate carboxylic acids with phenolic compounds in aqueous. Derivatization with acetic anhydride was used for analyses of mono-, di-, poly-hydroxyl phenolic compounds. 21 mono-hydroxyl phenols and 13 di-hydroxyl phenols were determined from the coai gasification wastewater samples. Derivatization with BF3-CH3OH was used for analysis of carboxylic acid. 17 mono-carboxyl, 4 di-carboxyl acids and 6 aromatic acids were determined from coal gasification wastewater samples.     

Interdisciplinary studies on the technical and economic feasibility of deep underground coal gasification with CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> storage in bulgaria

This paper presents the outcome of a feasibility study on underground coal gasification (UCG) combined with direct carbon dioxide (CO₂) capture and storage (CCS) at a selected site in Bulgaria with deep coal seams (>1,200 m). A series of state-of-the-art geological, geo-mechanical, hydrogeological and computational models supported by experimental tests and techno-economical assessments have been developed for the evaluation of UCG-CCS schemes. Research efforts have been focused on the development of site selection requirements for UCG-CCS, estimation of CO₂ storage volumes, review of the practical engineering requirements for developing a commercial UCG-CCS storage site, consideration of drilling and completion issues, and assessments of economic feasibility and environmental impacts of the scheme. In addition, the risks of subsidence and groundwater contamination have been assessed in order to pave the way for a full-scale trial and commercial applications. The current research confirms that cleaner and cheaper energy with reduced emissions can be achieved and the economics are competitive in the future European energy market. However the current research has established that rigorous design and monitor schemes are essential for productivity and safety and the minimisation of the potential environmental impacts. A platform has been established serving to inform policy-makers and aiding strategies devised to alleviate local and global impacts on climate change, while ensuring that energy resources are optimally harnessed.     

Interactive analysis and environmental policy for mitigating the consumption of potent greenhouse gases in Taiwan

Taiwan, although not a Party to the Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Kyoto Protocol, has diligently strived to advance technological and social changes for mitigating the use of potent greenhouse gases, including hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). The objective of this paper is to present an interactive analysis of HCFCs and HFCs consumptions under the regulatory framework and policy promotion in Taiwan during the period of 2000–2009. It was concluded that the consumption of HCFCs was on the significant decrease during this period because they are being replaced now by HFCs. In response, the consumption of HFCs with relatively low global warming potentials was on increasing trend from 861 t in 2000 to 2,923 t in 2009. Based on the inventory of HFCs, the most important source for the emissions of HFCs in Taiwan should be from HFC-134a, which was consistent with the East Asian countries such as Japan and South Korea. Finally, global HCFCs production and consumption was analyzed in comparison with Taiwan’s HCFCs demand trend.     

固体添加剂对煤气化过程中痕量元素的控制研究

基于改进的地球化学富集因子(MGEF),采用氢化物发生器和原子荧光光谱法联用(HD-AFS)和电感耦合等离子发射光谱法(ICP-AES)测定了原煤和气化产生的灰焦中AS、Cd、Co、Cr、Cu、Mn、Hg、Pb、V、Se、Sr、Zn12种痕量元素含量,研究了石灰石、白云石、碳酸钠3种固体添加剂对痕量元素的控制规律,发现不同添加剂对痕量元素具有不同的抑制效果．向煤中添加石灰石和白云石后,几乎所有痕量元素在灰焦中的MGEF都增加．石灰石分解形成的CaO对AS、Co、Cr、Se、Zn的吸附既有物理吸附,也有化学吸附;对Cd、Cu、Hg、Pb、V、Sr的吸附主要是物理吸附,并且CaO对Cd、Cu、V的吸附能力大于Hg、Pb、Sr．白云石对AS、Co、Cr、Hg、Pb、V、Zn的抑制效果比石灰石好,但对Cu、Se、Sr抑制效果不及石灰石．向煤中添加碳酸钠后,灰焦中AS、Cd、Cr、Pb、Se的MGEF减少,Zn的MGEF增加,Co、Cu、Hg、V、Sr的MGEF变化不大．     

Advanced treatment of biologically pretreated coal gasification wastewater by a novel heterogeneous Fenton oxidation process

Sewage sludge from a biological wastewater treatment plant was converted into sewage sludge based activated carbon(SBAC) with Zn Cl2 as activation agent, which was used as a support for ferric oxides to form a catalyst(Fe Ox/SBAC) by a simple impregnation method.The new material was then used to improve the performance of Fenton oxidation of real biologically pretreated coal gasification wastewater(CGW). The results indicated that the prepared Fe Ox/SBAC significantly enhanced the pollutant removal performance in the Fenton process, so that the treated wastewater was more biodegradable and less toxic. The best performance was obtained over a wide p H range from 2 to 7, temperature 30°C, 15 mg/L of H2O2 and 1 g/L of catalyst, and the treated effluent concentrations of COD, total phenols,BOD5 and TOC all met the discharge limits in China. Meanwhile, on the basis of significant inhibition by a radical scavenger in the heterogeneous Fenton process as well as the evolution of FT-IR spectra of pollutant-saturated Fe Ox/BAC with and without H2O2, it was deduced that the catalytic activity was responsible for generating hydroxyl radicals, and a possible reaction pathway and interface mechanism were proposed. Moreover, Fe Ox/SBAC showed superior stability over five successive oxidation runs. Thus, heterogeneous Fenton oxidation of biologically pretreated CGW by Fe Ox/SBAC, with the advantages of being economical, efficient and sustainable, holds promise for engineering application.     

Inhibitory effect of high phenol concentration in treating coal gasification wastewater in anaerobic biofilter

In this paper, the inhibition of methanogens by phenol in coal gasification wastewater(CGW)was investigated by both anaerobic toxicity tests and a lab-scale anaerobic biofilter reactor(AF). The anaerobic toxicity tests indicated that keeping the phenol concentration in the influent under 280 mg/L could maintain the methanogenic activity. In the AF treating CGW,the result showed that adding glucose solution as co-substrate could be beneficial for the quick start-up of the reactor. The effluent chemical oxygen demand(COD) and total phenol reached1200 and 100 mg/L, respectively, and the methane production rate was 175 m L CH4/g COD/day.However, if the concentration of phenol was increased, the inhibition of anaerobic micro-organisms was irreversible. The threshold of total phenol for AF operation was 200–250 mg/L. The extracellular polymeric substances(EPS) and particle size distribution of anaerobic granular sludge in the different stages were also examined, and the results indicated that the influence of toxicity in the system was more serious than its effect on flocculation of EPS. Moreover, the proportion of small size anaerobic granular sludge gradually increased from10.2% to 34.6%. The results of high through-put sequencing indicated that the abundance of the Chloroflexi and Planctomycetes was inhibited by the toxicity of the CGW, and some shifts in the microbial community were observed at different stages.     

焦作煤矿区矿坑排水对地下水环境的影响

焦作矿区随着煤矿资源的开发,矿坑排水造成的环境地质问题日益突出,主要表现为区域地下水位下降及矿区水环境污染问题,已严重制约着焦作煤炭工业的发展。本文就煤矿开采引发的环境地质问题进行了剖析并提出了相应的防治对策。     

我国煤炭环境外部成本的经济核算

基于产品生命周期理论,构建煤炭环境外部成本核算框架,采用环境价值评估方法,对煤炭生产、运输及利用环节环境成本实物量及价值量进行核算,最后得到煤炭的环境外部成本,以2010年为核算基准年,得到煤炭在生产、运输和使用环节中产生的环境外部成本分别为2185.95亿元、631.18亿元及2655.37亿元,吨煤成本为67.78,44.68,85.04,总环境外部成本为5472.50亿元,吨煤成本为197.40元.     

中国煤炭环境成本内部化的经济影响分析

对煤炭开采、运输和使用各个环节的环境污染和生态破坏外部成本进行核算的基础上,运用GREAT-E模型对煤炭环境成本内部化政策给GDP、居民收入、产业结构和贸易竞争力等带来的影响进行了定量分析.分析结果表明,煤炭开采、运输和使用各环节分别进行的环境成本内部化对中国宏观经济的影响较为有限,GDP的下降在可承受的范围之内,即使是全生命周期的煤炭环境成本完全内部化也只导致GDP出现0.15%左右的轻微下降.煤炭环境成本内部化将促进劳动力和资本等要素从高耗能行业向低耗能特别是技术密集型和现代服务业部门转移,进而推动产业结构优化转型升级.在煤炭生产、运输和消费环节通过征收环境相关税费能够更直接地刺激生产部门的环境行为调整,降低煤炭的生产和消费量,进而减少环境污染和生态破坏.     

Assessment of environmental aspects and determination of environmental targets within environmental management systems (EMS) – development of a procedure for Volkswagen

Since the revision of EMAS (EMAS II), a central role within this EU-regulated environmental management system has been assigned to the assessment of significant environmental aspects as the basis for identification of an organisation's environmental targets. However, EMAS only provides some general guidelines on the assessment of environmental aspects. To comply with the requirements of EMAS II, Volkswagen AG initiated the development of a comprehensive systematic approach which is now to be applied throughout Volkswagen's production sites. This article describes the elements of this approach. A methodological section discusses issues concerning the scientific assessment of environmental aspects, taking into account reproducibility, scientific acceptance and geographical representativeness of existing methods as well as time consumption and understandability for decision-makers. In addition, practical procedures to define environmental targets were worked out during two audits of Volkswagen's production sites, focusing on collaborative workshops with environmental experts, process experts and decision-makers to identify production-integrated improvements and enhance environmental sensitivity throughout the company.