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This article describes the process and results of the UCG shaft method experiment carried out using a V-shaped gasification channel. The UCG process was conducted at the Experimental “Barbara” Mine as part of the Research Fund of Coal and Steel (RFCS) project HUGE 2 (2011–2014). The reactor was placed in coal seam 310 at a depth of 30 m, and oxygen and water were applied as gasification reagents. During this experiment 5364 kg of hard coal was gasified, with an average consumption rate of 37.8 kg/h. The average heating value of the produced gas and thermal power in the combustor were 8.91 MJ/N m 3 and 192.5 kW, respectively. The average H 2 and CO contents in the produced gas were 36.3 vol.% and 31.9 vol.%, respectively. The thermal efficiency of the gasification process was 70%. Tar obtained from this process was mixed with large amount of dust and were different properties from the typical tar obtained from the coking process. Postburn area venting was necessary for 30 days after the installation shutdown. After this time, the reactor reached its initial thermal conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This investigation is based on the premise that heavy metals are sequestered by the mineral phase of teeth, hydroxyapatite, during their formation. Once formed these tissues are not subject to significant turnover and it is suggested, therefore, that they provide a permanent and cumulative record of heavy metal exposure during the development of the teeth. The teeth of the bank vole ( Clethrionomys glareolus ) were analysed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to monitor the animals' exposure to lead, cadmium, zinc, copper and strontium. Animals were trapped in clean and polluted areas in Poland in and around Krakow in 1996 and in Olkusz and Legnica in 1996 and 1997. The control area in 1996 was Bieszcady National Park and in 1997 Borecka Forest. The results showed that there were statistically different concentrations of heavy metals in the teeth of animals from different sites. The high levels of pollution from industrial emissions were related to higher concentrations of heavy metals in the teeth. Unexpectedly high levels of heavy metals in the teeth of animals from Bieszczady National Park, thought to be environmentally clean, suggested cross-border pollution from Slovakia and the Ukraine. It was concluded that the teeth of small mammals, such as the bank vole, are a sensitive and reliable marker of environmental pollution by heavy metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1990-93 the breeding performance of pied and collared flycatcher populations (Ficedula hypoleuca and Ficedula albicollis) was studied in Niepolomice Forest at Stanislawice (Cracow Province). Concentrations of the non-essential elements cadmium and lead in bird tissues were higher than those measured at Tavelsjo (Sweden), the reference site(Nyholm et al., 1994). The highest cadmium concentrations, up to 0.35 mug/g, were found in liver. The highest lead levels, up to 1.09 mug/g, occurred in breastbone samples. Levels of copper, zinc and iron were close to physiological norms. The main source of these elements in nestlings was likely to have been their diet. The number of fledgednestlings (3.2-5.2) in Stanisawice was lower than in Tavelsjo (6). The high percentages of nestlings with low levels of haemoglobin suggest that this may be the main factor contributing to the lower survival rates at Stanislawice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The UCG (underground coal gasification) trial was carried out at the Experimental Mine “Barbara” within the RFCS Project HUGE (2007–2010). The georeactor was placed in the coal seam 310 at the depth of 30m. During the period of 15days about 22tons of hard coal was gasified with the average consumption rate of 62kg/h. The total volume of 71,764Nm3 of dry gas was produced. The gasified media applied were oxygen, air and water. The average heating value of product gas and thermal power generated in a flare were 3.8MJ/Nm3 and 211kW, respectively. The average H2 and CO contents in product gas were 14.2vol.% and 13.4vol.%, respectively. The calculated gasification efficiency was about 56%. The experiment revealed that gasification in thin, shallow-buried coal seams can cause some operational problems, since under such geological conditions high risk of gas leakages exists. The gas leakages strongly affect not only the overall process efficiency but can also cause toxic hazards near the UCG test site. The postburn area venting was necessary for the period of 40days after the installation shutdown. After this time, the reactor reached its initial thermal conditions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The main goal of the study presented in the paper was an experimental comparison of the underground lignite and hard coal seams air gasification simulated in the ex situ reactor. In the study lignite and hard coal were gasified with oxygen, air and oxygen enriched air as gasification agents in the 50- and 30-h experiments, respectively, with an intrinsic coal and strata moisture content as a steam source. Application of air as a sole gasification agent was problematic for a resulting rapid decrease in temperatures, deterioration of gas quality and, finally, cessation of gasification reactions. Use of oxygen/air mixture of an optimum ratio led to valuable gas production. In lignite seam gasification with oxygen/air (of 4:2 volume ratio) the average H2 and CO contents in product gas were 23.1vol.% and 6.3vol.%, respectively, and the calorific value was 4.18MJ/m3, whereas in hard coal gasification with the oxygen/air ratio (of 2:3 volume ratio) the average H2 and CO contents in produced gas were 18.7vol.% and 17.3vol.%, respectively, and product gas calorific value equaled 5.74MJ/m3. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]