METHOD TO PRODUCE HYDROGEN DURING UNDERGROUND COAL GASIFICATION Russian patent published in 2012 - IPC E21B43/295 

FIELD: mining.

SUBSTANCE: according to the method, air or technical oxygen are supplied as blowing to a hot coal surface of an underground gas generator. Produced gas is discharged via gas-discharge wells ending with coal shafts without pipe casing. Technological process parameters are controlled via gas-discharge wells. The reaction of steam conversion of carbon monoxide is initiated in the reaction channel of the underground gas generator by injection of water vapour or surface water into reaction zones of coal shafts of gas-discharge wells via sections of auxiliary wells having hydraulic connection with the specified reaction zones and perforated in preset areas along the length of rock shafts, and such auxiliary wells are drilled along every gas-discharge well and cased with pipes along the entire length. As the coal bed is mined by gasification, and reaction zones of coal shafts of the gas-discharge wells are displaced, the point of water vapour or surface water supply in rock shafts of auxiliary wells is moved following displacement of reaction zones of coal shafts of the gas-discharge wells. Also the reaction of steam conversion of carbon monoxide is initiated in the ground chemical complex. Gas composition is monitored. Water vapour or surface water are injected in amount that provides for reduction and stabilisation of carbon monoxide concentration in discharged gas up to 3-5 percent. Steam conversion of carbon monoxide in the ground chemical complex is carried out before its stable minimum is demonstrated, by selection of appropriate optimal types of catalyst and thermobaric conditions, and after completion of steam conversion of carbon monoxide in the ground chemical complex the carbon dioxide is caught and recycled, and remaining hydrogen is transferred to a consumer.

EFFECT: expanded field of application of underground coal gasification.

5 cl, 1 ex, 1 tbl, 5 dwg