The TOPS project (Technology options for coupled underground coal gasification and CO2 capture and storage) was realised as part of the 7th EU Framework Programme in 2013-2017.
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The project was carried out by the following consortium:
- Imperial College of Science Technology and Medicine – Great Britain (project leader)
- Seamwell International Limited – Great Britain
- Central Mining Institute – Poland
- The German Research Centre for Geosciences – Germany
- Delft University of Technology – The Netherlands
- University of Glasgow – Great Britain
- The Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland – Denmark
- Katowicki Holding Węglowy S.A. – Poland
- Premogovnik Velenje DD – Slovenia
- Henan Polytechnic – China
- University Golder Associates Africa (Pty) Ltd – Republic of South Africa
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation – Australia
- Monash University – Australia
- The Trustees of Indiana University – USA
The main goal of the project was to create a general diagram of the functioning of an underground coal gasification (UCG) plant combined with carbon dioxide capture and injection within the area of a reaction cavity (reactor zone carbon storage – RZCS). Solutions to the problems that typically result from the combination of these processes were simultaneously sought as well.
The basic practical goal of the project was to develop assumptions for the technological solutions of combined UCG and CCS processes.
GIG’s main task was to conduct experimental work concerning underground hard coal gasification combined with CO2 management, as well as to investigate the environmental risks of the technology.
The goal of the project was accomplished based on the following tasks:
- Preparation of siting selection criteria for combined UCG and CCS processes, and determination of legal factors.
- Experimental analysis of thermochemical phenomena related to UCG – the role of gasifying media as well as gas products.
- Thermomechanical and hydrogeological assessment of UCG cavity development.
- Assessment of environmental impacts and risks.
- Development of a CO2 storage option.
- Efficiency evaluation of the combined UCG-CCS system and process optimisation.
