SZANSE PODZIEMNEGO ZGAZOWANIA WĘGLA NA PRZYKŁADZIE ZŁOŻA SAWIN (LUBELSKIE ZAGŁĘBIE WĘGLOWE)

Abstract

THE POSSIBILITY OF UNDERGROUND COAL GASIFICATION: THE SAWIN DEPOSIT CASE STUDY (LUBLIN COAL BASIN)

Abstract. The article concentrates on the characteristics of the Lublin Coal Basin, its geological setting and one of its largest black coal deposits - the Sawin deposit from the point of underground coal gasification (UCG) possibilities. The areas, which are currently considered as having the most promising bed qualities and coal properties for the primary conditional assessment of effective UCG, have been marked out. These include: minimal thickness of 1.5 m, coal types 31-32 (33), location outside the range of safety pillars positioned to counteract endangering of mines by water from the overburden, as well as the minimal surface area of the parcel conforming to the conditions listed above (1.5-2.0 km²). The article underlines the necessity to better study the deposits in order to provide a more precise assessment for the projection of possible exploitation of the deposits. Currently, 98 million tonnes of coal are found in beds suitable for gasification, some 9% of the total reserves on balance.