This invention generally relates to natural gas and methylotrophic energy generation, bio-generated fuels and microbiology. In alternative embodiments, the invention provides nutrient amendments and microbial compositions that are both specifically optimized to stimulate methanogenesis, or methylotrophic conversion. Additionally, the invention provides methods to develop nutrient amendments and microbial compositions that are both specifically optimized to stimulate methanogenesis in a given reservoir. The invention also provides methods for the evaluation of potentially damaging biomass formation and scale precipitation resulting from the addition of nutrient amendments. In another embodiment, the invention provides methods for simulating biogas in sub-surface conditions using a computational model.

Methods for repurposing thermal hydrocarbon recovery operations where the reservoir, which has been previously treated with steam for hydrocarbon mobilization, is further treated with an oxidizer to induce one or more of thermal cracking (thermolysis), gasification, water-gas shift, and aquathermolysis reactions to generate synthesis gas within the reservoir, which synthesis gas or its constituent components can then be produced to surface.

Systems and methods are described for the in situ recovery of hydrocarbonaceous products from nonrubilized oil shale and/or oil sands. The inventive system comprises a closed loop, in-ground radiator that is suspended from a support cable (or rod) along with support bracket(s) and perforated outer casing sections into a borehole, in order to target and heat kerogen and/or bitumen within oil shale and/or oil sand deposits, and to collect the resultant hydrocarbonaceous product gases from the borehole without the need for separating processing gases and/or liquids. The inventive system avoids the drawbacks associated with open systems including the mixing of processing and product gases, and the problems historically associated with control and management of prior art in situ recovery systems.

A system and method for underground gasification. A system for underground gasification system may comprise a recovery system, a supply line, and a downhole ignition device operable to ignite an underground energy source. The downhole device may be connected to the supply line and the supply line may be connected to the recovery system. The system for underground gasification may further comprise an information handling system that may be operable to control the downhole device. A method for igniting an underground energy source may comprise disposing a downhole ignition device into an injection well, positioning the downhole ignition device within the underground energy source, activating the downhole ignition device, igniting the underground energy source, and recovering a gas from the underground energy source.

A system and method for underground gasification. A system for underground gasification system may comprise a recovery system, a supply line, and a downhole ignition device operable to ignite an underground energy source. The downhole device may be connected to the supply line and the supply line may be connected to the recovery system. The system for underground gasification may further comprise an information handling system that may be operable to control the downhole device. A method for igniting an underground energy source may comprise disposing a downhole ignition device into an injection well, positioning the downhole ignition device within the underground energy source, activating the downhole ignition device, igniting the underground energy source, and recovering a gas from the underground energy source.

A spallation drilling apparatus is also disclosed that uses jets of hot fluid for drilling. This is compatible with drilling wells in high temperature zones, such as a lava dome. A simplified pyrolysis reactor for use in a lava dome is also disclosed, in which the dome functions to contain the reaction, and the apparatus to facilitate pyrolysis is far more compact.

A spallation drilling apparatus is also disclosed that uses jets of hot fluid for drilling. This is compatible with drilling wells in high temperature zones, such as a lava dome. A simplified pyrolysis reactor for use in a lava dome is also disclosed, in which the dome functions to contain the reaction, and the apparatus to facilitate pyrolysis is far more compact.

Disclosed is a method for remining a residual coal pillar in a residual mining area by collaboration of pillar-side backfilling and in-situ gasification. The method includes the following steps of: ascertaining geological and hydrological conditions, a geometric shape and a reserve of a residual coal pillar; determining the feasibility of underground gasification mining for the residual coal pillar; carrying out side supporting on the residual coal pillar in a goaf by using a pillar-side backfilling method; and carrying out the underground gasification mining on the residual coal pillar by means of an underground coal gasification process.

Disclosed is a method for remining a residual coal pillar in a residual mining area by collaboration of pillar-side backfilling and in-situ gasification. The method includes the following steps of: ascertaining geological and hydrological conditions, a geometric shape and a reserve of a residual coal pillar; determining the feasibility of underground gasification mining for the residual coal pillar; carrying out side supporting on the residual coal pillar in a goaf by using a pillar-side backfilling method; and carrying out the underground gasification mining on the residual coal pillar by means of an underground coal gasification process.

This invention generally relates to natural gas and methylotrophic energy generation, bio-generated fuels and microbiology. In alternative embodiments, the invention provides nutrient amendments and microbial compositions, e.g., consortia, that are both specifically optimized to stimulate methanogenesis, or for methylotrophic or other conversions. In alternative embodiments, the invention provides methods to develop nutrient amendments and microbial compositions that are both specifically optimized to stimulate methanogenesis in a given reservoir. The invention also provides methods for the evaluation of potentially damaging biomass formation and scale precipitation resulting from the addition of nutrient amendments. In other embodiments, the invention provides methods for simulating biogas in sub-surface conditions using a computational model.