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Carbon Energy says the trial clearly demonstrated the UCG module can deliver commercial-scale syngas production of 1 petajoule per annum.
The company said the trial also verified sustained production of air-injected syngas suitable for low-cost generation of power.
The trial was also able to demonstrate the production of high value oxygen injected syngas, suitable for the production of low-emission electricity, chemicals and liquid fuels.
Carbon Energy's managing director Andrew Dash said the $20 million trial achieved the conversion of unmineable coal in-situ to gas energy at an average rate of 20PJ per million tonnes.
The company now plans to complete its analysis of the data obtained during the trial phase prior to providing the results to its two main commercial partners, Incitec Pivot and LyondellBasell, for their assessment.
“It is anticipated that once approved, further pre-feasibility studies will then be undertaken to confirm syngas's suitability for power generation, ammonia manufacture and methanol production,” Dash said.
“In the meantime, the UCG syngas reactor at Bloodwood Creek will continue to operate on air injection, with ongoing monitoring and verification of results, while plans for commercialisation are initiated.”
Once all studies have been successfully completed the company plans to construct world-class manufacturing facilities near the Surat Basin site, in a joint venture with existing business partners.
