Geological Evaluation of In-Situ Pyrolysis Development of Oil-Rich Coal in Tiaohu Mining Area, Santanghu Basin, Xinjiang, China

Guangxiu Jing, Xiangquan Gao (), Shuo Feng (), Xin Li, Wenfeng Wang, Tianyin Zhang and Chenchen Li
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Guangxiu Jing: Hydrological and Environmental Geological Survey Center of Geological Bureau of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi 830000, China
Xiangquan Gao: Xinjiang Key Laboratory for Geodynamic Processes and Metallogenic Prognosis of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830047, China
Shuo Feng: Xinjiang Key Laboratory for Geodynamic Processes and Metallogenic Prognosis of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830047, China
Xin Li: Xinjiang Key Laboratory for Geodynamic Processes and Metallogenic Prognosis of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830047, China
Wenfeng Wang: Xinjiang Key Laboratory for Geodynamic Processes and Metallogenic Prognosis of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830047, China
Tianyin Zhang: Xinjiang Key Laboratory for Geodynamic Processes and Metallogenic Prognosis of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830047, China
Chenchen Li: Xinjiang Key Laboratory for Geodynamic Processes and Metallogenic Prognosis of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830047, China

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 15, 1-21

Abstract: The applicability of the in-situ pyrolysis of oil-rich coal is highly dependent on regional geological conditions. In this study, six major geological factors and 19 key parameters influencing the in-situ pyrolysis of oil-rich coal were systematically identified. An analytic hierarchy process incorporating index classification and quantification was employed in combination with the geological features of the Tiaohu mining area to establish a feasibility evaluation index system suitable for in-situ development in the study region. Among these factors, coal quality parameters (e.g., coal type, moisture content, volatile matter, ash yield), coal seam occurrence characteristics (e.g., seam thickness, burial depth, interburden frequency), and hydrogeological conditions (e.g., relative water inflow) primarily govern pyrolysis process stability. Surrounding rock properties (e.g., roof/floor lithology) and structural features (e.g., fault proximity) directly impact pyrolysis furnace sealing integrity, while environmental geological factors (e.g., hazardous element content in coal) determine environmental risk control effectiveness. Based on actual geological data from the Tiaohu mining area, the comprehensive weight of each index was determined. After calculation, the southwestern, central, and southeastern subregions of the mining area were identified as favorable zones for pyrolysis development. A constraint condition analysis was then conducted, accompanied by a one-vote veto index system, in which the thresholds were defined for coal seam thickness (≥1.5 m), burial depth (≥500 m), thickness variation coefficient (≤15%), fault proximity (≥200 m), tar yield (≥7%), high-pressure permeability (≥10 mD), and high-pressure porosity (≥15%). Following the exclusion of unqualified boreholes, three target zones for pyrolysis furnace deployment were ultimately selected.

Keywords: geological condition; analytic hierarchy process; favorable area optimization; pyrolysis furnace site selection (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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