Cleanup of Groundwater Contaminated by Underground Coal Gasification

Abstract

Bench scale laboratory experiments have confirmed the high adsorption capacity of bituminous activated carbon for the removal (>99.9%) of organic contaminants found in groundwaters associated with underground coal gasification (UCG) sites. Based upon recent laboratory and field interpretations. engineering designs are presented for the surface treatment of groundwater contaminated by UCG operations. A methodology is suggested for consideration of other unconventional in situ treatments.