Let the coal burn underground

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——In an interview with Professor Liang Jie, the leading expert on the coal underground gasification project under the 863 Program, it is explained that coal first needs to be extracted from underground before it can be burned on the surface. This is the principle we are usually aware of. But have you ever heard that coal can be burned and utilized underground? 　On September 9, at the booth of Shanxi Yanxin Baifu New Energy Development Company at the Energy Expo, the reporter saw a model of coal underground gasification. Yang Shuangqing, chairman of Yanxin Baifu New Energy Company, told reporters that this is a facility under construction by their company; it is called the Industrial Experimental Base for Underground Gasification of Residual Coal project, and it represents a major scientific and technological initiative in Shanxi Province. 　　At the exhibition booth, Yang Shuangqing introduced to the journalists Liang Jie, a researcher in coal in-situ gasification technology, the lead expert on the coal in-situ gasification project under the 863 Program, and a professor at China University of Mining and Technology. 　　“Our team has been researching coal in-situ gasification technology since 1984, and we currently hold 22 technical patents, enabling full-scale industrial application. ”Liang Jie said. 　　Compared with traditional surface coal gasification, underground coal gasification has significant advantages: first, it greatly improves resource utilization by recovering the abandoned coal resources from old mines, raising the coal utilization rate from 40% to 80%. Second, it operates safely and reliably, with no personnel or equipment underground, and the operation is simple. Third, it has low costs, enabling a 30% reduction in gasification expenses, and facilitating the efficient, integrated, and green utilization of coal for heat, electricity, and chemicals. Liang Jie said with a smile, “The theme of this Low-Carbon Forum and Energy Expo is the green development of black coal and the low-carbon development of high-carbon resources, and the project of Yanxin Baifu New Energy Company is precisely such a typical example.” ”　　Professor Liang Jie explained, “In simple terms, our technology involves allowing the coal remaining in coal mines to burn under controlled conditions underground, thereby producing mixed gas. This gas is then extracted to the surface, where it can be utilized in various ways – either converted into natural gas, used for power generation, or used to produce coal-based chemical products.” ”　　Currently, Yanxin Baifu New Energy Company is working together with Professor Liang Jie’s technical team to develop an industrial production project. The first phase of this project requires an investment of 2 billion yuan, and it will enable the production of 72,000 tons of liquefied natural gas per year, as well as gas for use in 100,000 kilowatt-sized generator sets. 　　Professor Liang Jie said that coal in-situ gasification technology, as a high-tech sector that receives priority support, will surely open up a new path for the efficient, safe, and energy-saving use of coal if it can be implemented on a large scale in Shanxi. http://shan*.sina.com.cn/news/zhuazhan/2016-09-10/detail-ifxvukuq4109861.shtml