Similar articles

Abstract: Global coal mining activity is increasing due to demands for cheap energy and the availability of large coal deposits around the world; however, the risks associated with conventional coal mining activities remain relatively high. underground coal gasification (UCG), also known as in-situ coal gasification (ISCG) is a promising alternative method of accessing energy resources derived from coal. UCG is a physical-chemical-geotechnical method of coal mining that has several advantages over traditional mining, for example, its applicability in areas where conventional mining methods are not suitable and the reduction of hazards associated with working underground. The main disadvantages of UCG are the possibility of underground water pollution and surface subsidence. This work is focused on the latter issue. A thorough understanding of subsidence issues is a crucial step to implement UCG on a wide scale. Scientists point out the scarce available data on strata deformations resulting from UCG. The former Soviet Union countries have a long history of developing the science related to UCG and experimenting with its application. However, the Soviet development occurred in relative isolation and this makes a modern review of the Soviet experience valuable. There are some literature sources dealing with Soviet UCG projects; however, they are neither up-to-date nor focus on aspects that are of particular importance to surface subsidence, including geological profiles, strata physical-mechanical properties, thermal properties of geomaterials, and temperature spreading. The goal of this work is to increase the knowledge on these aspects in the English-speaking science community.

The goal of the paper clearly marked- increasing the knowledge on these aspects in the English-speaking science community based on modern review of the Soviet UCG experience.

综述前苏联关于地表沉陷的煤炭地下气化经验

[1]Ali, S.M., Pattanayal, P., Shubhra, 2012. Underground coal gasification techniques, problems and its solutions. International Journal of Engineering and Innovative Technology, 2(3):129-134.

[2]Antonova, R.I., Bezhanishvili, A.I., Blinderman, M.S., et al., 1990. Underground Coal Gasification. Central Research Institute of Economics and Scientific-Technical Information of Coal Industry Press, Moscow (in Russian).

[3]Arens, V.Z., 1986. Mining by Boreholes. Nedra, Moscow (in Russian).

[4]Chen, X.X., Luo, Z.J., Zhou, S.L., 2014. Influences of soil hydraulic and mechanical parameters on land subsidence and ground fissures caused by groundwater exploitation. Journal of Hydrodynamics, Ser. B, 26(1):155-164.

[5]Clements, B.R., 1977. Progress report for the Texas utilities UCG program. Proceedings of the 3rd Annual Underground Coal Conversion Symposium, Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, California, USA, p.81-82.

[6]Fokin, D.A., 1954. Implementation of deep reference points for studying strata deformation at the Podmoskovnaya station. Journal of Underground Coal Gasification, (3):5-12 (in Russian).

[7]Gerdov, M.A., 1940. Some results of the thermal study of the strata bearing coal seams. Bulletin on the Issues of Underground Coal Gasification, (1):1-23 (in Russian).

[8]Gregg, D.W., 1979. Ground subsidence resulting from underground gasification of coal. In Situ, 3(1):53-81.

[9]Gregg, D.W., Hill, R.W., Olness, D.U., 1976. Overview of the Soviet effort in underground gasification of coal. Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, California, USA.

[10]Gusyatnikov, S.P., 1940. Permafrost and underground coal gasification. Bulletin on the Issues of Underground Coal Gasification, (1) (in Russian).

[11]Kapitsa, S.P., 2010. What should be done with the science? Lecture, Moscow (in Russian).

[12]Kavalov, B., Peteves, S.D., 2007. The Future of Coal. DG JRC Institute for Energy, the Netherlands (in Russian).

[13]Kazak, V.N., 1965. Mechanism of rock performance under underground coal gasification of the thin, slightly sloping and sloping coal seams. Scientific Work of All-Soviet Research Institute of Underground Coal Gasification, (13):43-52 (in Russian).

[14]Kazak, V.N., Semenenko, D.K., 1960. Study of geological factors determining the underground coal gasification process. Management of the seam roof under Underground coal gasification. Scientific Work of All-Soviet Research Institute of Underground Coal Gasification, (1):72-82 (in Russian).

[15]Kazak, V.N., Kapralov, V.K., Kreinin, E.V., 1990. Ways of reducing heat losses under underground coal gasification. Physical-Chemical Problems of Mining, (6):91-96 (in Russian).

[16]Klimenko, A.Y., 2009. Early ideas in underground coal gasification and their evolution. Energies, 2(2):456-476.

[17]Kolesnikov, P.T., 1935. To the question about stratum thermal conductivity. Journal of Underground Coal Gasification, (2):9-11 (in Russian).

[18]Kopytov, V.V., 2012. Gasification of Condensed Fuel: Retrospective Review, State-of-the-art Affairs and Development Prospects. Infra-Engineering Press, Moscow (in Russian).

[19]Kreinin, E.V., 2010. Underground Coal Gasification: Bases of Theory and Practice, Innovations. Korina-ofset Press, Moscow (in Russian).

[20]Kreinin, E.V., Kogan, M.Y., 1963. Heaving of Southern Abinsk coal in the canal: underground coal gasification. Scientific Work of All-Soviet Research Institute of Underground Coal Gasification, (11):38-46 (in Russian).

[21]Kreinin, E.V., Antonova, R.I., Dvornokova, Y.V., et al., 1991. Underground coal gasification and preservation of the environment. Journal of the Skochinski Mining Institute, (1):199-207 (in Russian).

[22]Kuprin, A.I., 1971. In the Earth Interior. Collection in 9 Volumes, Khud. Literatura Press, Moscow (in Russian).

[23]Lazarenko, S.N., Mazakin, V.P., Trizno, S.K., et al., 2006. Underground coal gasification in Kuzbass: new possibilities. Institute of Coal and Coalchemistry SO RAN, Kemerovo, Russia (in Russian).

[24]Lenin, V.I., 1973. Full collection of the essays. Politizdat, Moscow (in Russian).

[25]Lykov, A.V., Pomerantchev, A.A., 1935. Calculation of heat losses for heating the wet soil under underground coal gasification. Journal of Underground Coal Gasification, (9):3-14 (in Russian).

[26]MacDonald, M., 2010. UK Electricity Generation Costs Update. Mott MacDonald, UK.

[27]Matveichuk, A.A., Evdoshenko, Y.V., 2011. The origins of the Russian gas industry. In: 1811-1945 Historical Essays. Granitsa, Moscow (in Russian).

[28]Mendeleev, D.I., 1939. Essays, Volume 1. Literaturnoe Nasledie Press, Leningrad, Russia (in Russian).

[29]Miller, W.S., 1964. Burning Process for Recovering Sulfur from the Earth. US Patent 3131914.

[30]Ovchinnikov, V., Tyutin, F., Semenenko, D., et al., 1966. Features of the rock deformation and its performance under underground gasification of the steep coal seam at the Kuznetsk basin (Kuzbass). Underground Coal Gasification at the Kuzbass, 1:130-146 (in Russian).

[31]Riemann, B., Weber, H., 1927. Differentialgleichungen der Physik. Ph. Frank and R. von Mises, Braunschweig, (2) (in German).

[32]Ruschinsky, M.V., 1952. Changes of the rock pressure in the longwall face of the mine #33 of Moscow coal. Journal of the Skochinski Mining Institute, (7):12-17 (in Russian).

[33]Russo, Y.V., Kazak, V.N., 1958. Changes of physical-mechanical properties of the coal seam roof under underground coal gasification. Journal of Underground Coal Gasification, (4):36-40 (in Russian).

[34]Semenenko, D.K., 1965. About rock loosening under underground coal gasification at the Podmoskovny basin. Scientific Work of All-Soviet Research Institute of Underground Coal Gasification, 13:32-35 (in Russian).

[35]Semenenko, D.K., Turchaninov, I.A., 1957. Rock performance under underground coal gasification. Journal of Underground Coal Gasification, (3):31-39 (in Russian).

[36]Semenenko, D.K., Fokin, D.A., Turchaninov, I.A., 1952. Study of strata behaviour during UCG. Scientific-technical Report, VNII Podzengasa (in Russian).

[37]Skafa, P.V., 1960. Underground Coal Gasification. Gosgortechizdat, Moscow (in Russian).

[38]Tian, H., 2013. Development of a Thermo-mechanical Model for Rocks Exposed to High Temperatures during Underground Coal Gasification. PhD Thesis, RWTH Aachen University, Germany.

[39]Turchaninov, I.A., 1956. About some physical-mechanical properties of the ash residue under underground coal gasification at the Podmoskovny basin. Journal of Underground Coal Gasification, (7):55-58 (in Russian).

[40]Turchaninov, I.A., 1957a. About nature of underground coal gasification and deformation of the rock under underground coal gasification at the Podmoskovny basin. Journal of Underground Coal Gasification, (2):74-78 (in Russian).

[41]Turchaninov, I.A., 1957b. Ways of the solution for management of the top under underground coal gasification. Journal of Underground Coal Gasification, (2):39-41 (in Russian).

[42]Turchaninov, I.A., Zabrovsky, A.S., 1958. Rock deformation and its influence on the process of underground gasification of the thick and steep coal seam. Journal of Underground Coal Gasification, (2):7-11 (in Russian).

[43]Turchaninov, I.A., Sazonov, V.A., 1958. Some features of coal seam gasification and shifting overburden rock under underground coal gasification at the Shatskaya station. Journal of Underground Coal Gasification, (3):11-16 (in Russian).

[44]Vinogradov, B.G., 1963. About nature of rock fracturing in the area of the Shatskaya station. Underground coal gasification. Scientific Work of All-Soviet Research Institute of Underground Coal Gasification, (10):82-90 (in Russian).

[45]Walter, K., 2007. Fire in the hole. Science & Technology, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, (4):12-18.

[46]Zabrovsky, A.S., 1959. Conditions of seal saving of the underground gas generators in the steep medium-thickness seams. Journal of Underground Coal Gasification, (3):6-10 (in Russian).

[47]Zamzow, K.L., 2010. Underground coal gasification: history, environmental issues, and the proposed project at Beluga. Center for Science in Public Participation, Alaska.

[48]Zhukov, V.V., 1963a. About possibility of interpretation of gasification of thick coal seam of Angrensk field by ground subsidence. Scientific Work of All-Soviet Research Institute of Underground Coal Gasification, (11):47-53 (in Russian).

[49]Zhukov, V.V., 1963b. Preliminary results of the study of the rock massif disturbance during excavation of the Angren coal seam with different thicknesses. Scientific Work of All-Soviet Research Institute of Underground Coal Gasification, (10):77-82 (in Russian).

[50]Zhukov, V.V., Orlov, G.V., 1964. Ground subsidence under underground gasification of the coal seam at the industrial gas generator #3 at the Angren station “Podzemgaz”. Scientific Work of All-Soviet Research Institute of Underground Coal Gasification, (12):68-74 (in Russian).

[51]Zhukov, V.V., Ovchinnikov, V., Loshkin, E.L., et al., 1963. To the question about influence of strata movement under underground gasification of the Angren coal seam on disturbance of the casing pipes of the underground gas generators boreholes. Scientific Work of All-Soviet Research Institute of Underground Coal Gasification, (10):85-90 (in Russian).