Browsing by Subject "synthetic fuels"

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In Situ Conversion of Texas Lignite to Synthetic Fuels
(1976) Edgar, Thomas F.; Kaiser, W. R.; Thompson, T. W.
The current research on underground gasification of Texas lignite was initiated in September 1974. The initial phase of the work (1974-75) consisted of a technical and economic feasibility study. The results of that one-year study, as reported in a previous Semi-Annual Report (November 1975), indicated that in situ gasification of the large reserves of deep-basin Texas lignite would be quite attractive both technically and economically. In November 1975, experimental investigations were initiated to determine which geological, physical, and chemical conditions would be conducive to the application of underground gasification. Another goal of this project is the development of a mechanistic description of the dominant chemical and physical processes occurring during underground coal gasification; such models would provide a design basis for later field testing. The project staff currently consists of three principal investigators, plus an additional six faculty and staff, eight graduate students, and eight undergraduate students. The principal funding for this project has come from the National Science Foundation Research Applied to National Needs Program (RANN); a two-year grant was received in November 1975. Several private companies have also generously made contributions in support of the research program. These companies include Texas Utilities Services, Conoco, Shell, Dow, Mobil, Du Pont, and ARCO. These companies also provide technical advice to the research project. Since the nature of the research program has changed significantly during the last six months, with a heavy orientation on experimental aspects of the process, many of the individual research projects have just recently been initiated. Thus, only preliminary reports on their progress are available at this time. It is hoped that at the time of the next Semi-Annual Report, some substantive findings will be available. Experimental work in the areas of reaction kinetics, physical properties of lignite and overburden, and environmental impact are currently underway. More details on these efforts are contained in this report.
In Situ Conversion of Texas Lignite to Synthetic Fuels
(1975) Edgar, Thomas F.; Kaiser, W. R.; Thompson, T. W.
A one-year technical and economic feasibility study to determine if the large deposits of deep basin Texas lignite can be recovered using in situ gasification has been completed. The study has consisted of engineering and geological analysis as well as limited experimentation. Since the project's inception in September 1974, a total of seven faculty and staff, ten graduate students, and seven undergraduates have been involved in the research. The principal funding for this project has been provided by the National Science Foundation, RANN division. Other research funds have been provided by Texas Utilities Company, Continental Oil Company, Mobil Oil Corporation, and the Shell Development Company. As of November 1975, the project is in phase with the goals as originally proposed for the one-year feasibility study on in situ gasification of Texas lignite. An economic model (computer program) for in situ gasification of Texas lignite has been completed. The results of this analysis indicate that in situ gasification by the percolation technique will be economic for depth to seam thickness ratios approaching 150 (compared to 15 for strip mining). The available operating data, mainly from Russian and British field tests as well as from the recent ERDA test in Wyoming, have been analyzed. A computer model of an in situ reactor has been completed, and it gives good agreement with previous field test results. Maps of lignite-bearing units in the Wilcox and Yegua formations have been prepared. This should help determine candidate field test sites as well as further clarify the Texas lignite resource picture. A review of the critical environmental factors has been undertaken, and the hydrological conditions for minimizing negative environmental effects have been established. Geological mapping of variables such as percent sand has indicated where environmentally feasible sites are located. The ALCOA strip mine near Austin is being used at present for a prototype lignite deposit. Chemical and physical property analyses are being run. An effective way to seal lignite cores at high temperatures has been developed. Combustion tube designs have been completed. Equipment to obtain mechanical properties of lignite and overburden has been constructed. Calculations on roof collapse can be facilitated with the above apparatus and a finite element computer program, which is nearly completed. The results of the one-year feasibility study have shown that in situ gasification of Texas lignite is technically and economically feasible, which warrants a two-year program of research and development to bring it to the field demonstration stage.