Saudi Journal of Civil Engineering (SJCE)
Volume-4 | Issue-09 | 170-179
Review Article
Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) -A Pilot Study at Certain Area of Jamalganj Coal Basin, Joypurhat District, Bangladesh
Mohammed Masum, Mohammad Nurul Hoque, Md. Ali Akbar, Zobayer Mahmud, Md. Al Amin, Md. Abdur Razzaque, Md. Kamrul Ahsan
Published : Nov. 28, 2020
Abstract
Geological Survey of Bangladesh has been entrusted with the responsibilities of investigation and exploration of several kinds of solid mineral resources and discovered four major Gondwana coalfields at southern slope of Rangpur saddle of Bangladesh. Underground Mining is going on only in Barapukuria coal field and the rest of coal fields mining operation at this stage still not possible due to the greater depth. Jamalganj coal basin is one of the largest coal basin of Bangladesh where underground mining method for further mining may be really difficult. Around 4000 million tons of coal deposited in that coalfield which equivalents (due to energy) to about 130 Tcf Gas. It might not be technically feasible or economically viable to mine coal resources of that coalfield till now. Potential for underground coal gasification in the specific area of Jamalganj coalfield of Bangladesh should be needed to study. It has adequate depth (600-800m) and workable overburden as well as their chemical properties of coal (Calorific value-26.84%, Sulfur content- 0.55%, Fixed carbon- 36.72%, Volatile matter- 36.92%, Moisture content and Ash content 3.58%) which might be positive sign for UCG implementation. The high-volatile to medium-volatile bituminous coal is very suitable for UCG exploration in terms of their depth of occurrence, thickness of coal seam, coal reserve and areal extent. The thickest seam-III (over 40 m) can be a primary target for UCG development especially where it combines with seam-II in the eastern part of the coalfield.