The "Research and Application of Underground Vaporization of Coal" passed ministerial test and appraisal in November, making China one of a few countries to have mastered this advanced technology.
A successful experiment was conducted at the Suncun Mine, where the underground evaporation furnaces operated smoothly and efficiently. This has shown that the building of pits, mining coal and vaporization can be integrated organically.
According to experts, this technology may be used to exploit large amounts of sterilised high-sulphur coal in protective coal pillars in deserted mines, or coal buried under rivers, bridges and buildings.
Through this technological innovation, Xinwen Group can yield 40,000cu.m of water-gas, which can be supplied to more than 10,000 households and some industrial boilers.
