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Title: Generating electricity from coal in situ
Claims: What is claimed is: 1. A method of generating electricity from fuel derived by producing coal in situ utilizing fuel cells, comprising the steps of drilling a first well from the surface of the ground into an underground coal formation, drilling a second well from the surface of the ground into the coal formation, the second well being spaced apart from the first well, establishing a communication passage through the underground coal in fluid communication between the first well and the second well, igniting the coal in the communication passage, establishing a reaction zone in the communication passage, withdrawing low BTU gas from the reaction zone, establishing an above ground gas separator, the gas separator being capable of separating the low BTU gas into discrete component streams consisting of H.sub.2, CO, H.sub.2 O, CO.sub.2 and a mixed residual, establishing a first fuel cell in an above ground location, establishing a source of oxygen in an above ground location, injecting low BTU gas from the reaction zone into the above ground gas separator, separating the low BTU gas into discrete component streams consisting of H.sub.2, CO, H.sub.2 O, CO.sub.2 and mixed residual, withdrawing hydrogen from the gas separator, injecting hydrogen into the first fuel cell, injecting oxygen into the first fuel cell, and generating electricity in the first fuel cell. 2. The method of claim 1 further including the steps of terminating injecting hydrogen into the first fuel cell, terminating injecting oxygen into the first fuel cell, terminating generating electricity in the first fuel cell, establishing a second fuel cell in an above ground location, establishing a source of heat in an above ground location, withdrawing carbon monoxide from the gas separator, withdrawing carbon dioxide from the gas separator, injecting heat into the second fuel cell, injecting carbon monoxide into the second fuel cell, injecting oxygen and carbon dioxide into the second fuel cell, and generating electricity in the second fuel cell. 3. The method of claim 1 and further including the steps of withdrawing water from the gas separator, withdrawing the mixed residual from the gas separator, and withdrawing water from the first fuel cell. 4. The method of claim 1 and further including the steps of establishing a second fuel cell in an above ground location, establishing a source of heat in an above ground location, withdrawing carbon monoxide from the gas separator, withdrawing carbon dioxide from the gas separator, injecting heat into the second fuel cell, injecting carbon monoxide into the second fuel cell, injecting carbon dioxide and air into the second fuel cell, and generating electricity in the second fuel cell. 5. The method of claim 4 and further including the step of capturing carbon dioxide from the second fuel cell. 6. A system for generating electricity from coal in situ comprising in combination: a first well drilled from the surface of the earth into an underground coal formation, the first well including means for injecting reactants into the coal formation, a second well drilled from the surface of the earth into the coal formation, the second well including means for withdrawing fluids from the coal formation, a communication means through the underground coal formation, the communication means being in fluid communication with the first well and with the second well, a gas separator means for separating from produced gas stream the individual components consisting of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, water, carbon dioxide and a mixed residual, the gas separator means being in fluid communication with the second well, a first fuel cell capable of generating electricity, the first fuel cell being in fluid communication with the gas separator means, and a source of oxygen means in fluid communication with the first fuel cell. 7. The system of claim 6 and further comprising a second fuel cell capable of generating electricity, the second fuel cell being in fluid communications with a source of heat means, with the gas separator means and with a source of oxygen means. 8. The system of claim 6 and further comprising a low BTU gas storage means in fluid communication with the second well and with the gas separator means. Other info: Inventors: Terry, Ruel C. (Denver, CO, US) Application Number: 101869 Filing Date: 1979-12-10 Publication_date: 1981-02-10 Assignee: In Situ Technology, Inc. (Denver, CO) Primary Class(es): 429/12 166/65.1, 166/261, 166/266 Other Classes: US Patent Ref:
Other Refs: Primary Examiner: LeFevour, Charles F. Assistant Examiner: Attorney: |
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