Underground coal gasification cavity growth model

A two-dimensional underground coal gasification cavity growth model has been developed from first principles. The model accounts for injected flow conditions, oxygen content, coal seam thickness, coal heating value, coal carbon content, and initial link zone cross-sectional area distribution between the injection and production wells. The model calculates as a function of space and time: cavity growth, gas and wall temperatures, heat lost to the surroundings, the oxygen content of the flow within the cavity, and the coal consumed. The model is used to predict the final cavity shape of a recent field test with good agreement. A parametric study is also presented which shows the effects of mass flow and injected oxygen concentration on reactor growth.