Laboratory Studies of Gasification Kinetics for Western Coals Under Conditions Expected During In-Situ Combustion

Kinetics for the reaction of steam with western subbituminous chars are described for operating conditions characteristic of those expected during underground gasification of these coals. The mineral matter present in these coals has been found to have significant catalytic activity for the water-gas-shift reaction. In addition, the inorganic constituents of brackish waters naturally occurring in aquifers in the West have been found to have little effect on the gasification rates.