1628. JOLLEY, L. J., AND BOOTH, N. Underground Gasification of Coal. Gas Research Board Inf. Circ. 2, Pub. 22; Gas World, vol. 128, 1948, pp. 588-595; Fuel, vol. 24, May-June 1945, No. 2, pp. 31-37; No. 3, p. 73-79.

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Literature Abstracts

Bibliography of 123 refs. (see abs. 3698). Extensive review of the literature on underground gasification, particularly of Russian sources, appears. The average output/man employed was increased from 30 tons of coal/month by mining methods to the thermal equivalent of 100-120 tons by underground gasification; in large installations it might reach 500-600 tons. The cost of standard coal in Russia in 1939 was 22-30 rubies (18-25 s.)/metric ton. The cost of production of 1,000 kcal. of gas of low calorific value (100-150 B.t.u./cu. ft.) is stated to be 0.15-0.20 kopek (0.375-0.5 d.) and that of high-calorific-value gas to be 0.4 kopek (1.0 d./therm). (The above figures do not appear to include labor costs.) The cost of low-calorific-value gas is about 1/3 that of producer gas. The net cost (exclusive of capital charges) of gas from normal producer installations is 0.74-1.21 kopeks/1,000 kcal. (1.84-3.0 d./therm), while that of gas from underground installations is 0.27-0.68 kopek/1,000 kcal. (0.7-1.7 d./therm). The capital cost of underground gasification plant is stated to be 60-70% of that of a plant employing an above-ground producer. In the Stream method 80-90% of the capital cost represents surface work and 14-15%, the preparation of panels. The percolation method is stated to reduce capital investment by 15-20%. For a combined underground gas-electric power generating station the capital cost is 1,500 rubies/kw. installed power and the prime cost of power, 4-6 kopeks/kw.-hr. The cost of an O₂ plant is estimated to amount to 70% of the total outlay cost and the cost of gas made with an O₂ blast 3 times that made with an air blast.