Dingus Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 I just watched the report on this process on Channel 4. http://www.channel4.com/news/is-the-future-of-british-coal-burning-it-underground Coal is burned underground to produce gas that can be used as a fuel or a source of plastics. It can be used on coal reserves that are beyond the reach of conventional mining. Alread around 16 licences have been granted and similar schemes are being tried elsewhere in the world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alchresearch Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 What an interesting idea. However, I thought UK coal was too sulphurous to be burnt in the EU? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dingus Posted January 5, 2012 Author Share Posted January 5, 2012 What an interesting idea. However, I thought UK coal was too sulphurous to be burnt in the EU? I suspect that it won't be a massive problem because the coal isn't being burned as a source of heat. It is being used to produce gas. In the old days gas was produced from coal and was washed before it was put into the mains. Many of the impurities can be removed prior to the gas actually being used as a fuel. I think it is a very elegant solution to unmineable coal reserves. If I get a chance I will buy shares in the company. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrSmith Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 I suspect that it won't be a massive problem because the coal isn't being burned as a source of heat. It is being used to produce gas. In the old days gas was produced from coal and was washed before it was put into the mains. Many of the impurities can be removed prior to the gas actually being used as a fuel. I think it is a very elegant solution to unmineable coal reserves. If I get a chance I will buy shares in the company. This kind of thing as been used in Australia and was shut down because carcinogens entered the water supply. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nagel Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 Along with shale gas it comes under the category of 'unconventional gas' and both are already huge in the USA. Our energy bills will be reduced enormously if we also use these. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alchresearch Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 Our energy bills will be reduced enormously if we also use these. If only. No doubt the energy providers will find some way of keeping prices the same, quoting R&D costs, or some kind of windfall tax. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dingus Posted January 5, 2012 Author Share Posted January 5, 2012 I think that it is a pretty timely development as our gas reserves are running down. All the coal seems to be tapped are deep and beneath the sea. The "gas" that comes up from the process at such depth is a paste and can be used for diverse uses. If it can be cleaned up properly it could provide a fuel for our cars, gas for our heating and plastics for our industries. I think it is very exciting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppet2 Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 If only. No doubt the energy providers will find some way of keeping prices the same, quoting R&D costs, or some kind of windfall tax. I agree. I saw this last night and got quite excited over the fact that coal would be a form of cheap fuel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrSmith Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 I agree. I saw this last night and got quite excited over the fact that coal would be a form of cheap fuel. I'm not convinced based on what happened in Australia but it does appear Maggie made a good decision to leave it where it was. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFKvsNixon Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 We should refrain from using our coal reserves until the oil starts to run out, then it'll be a lot more valuable as a commodity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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