HYDROGEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS IN PREDICTING UCG PROCESS INFLUENCE ON GROUNDWATER ENVIRONMENT IN POLAND.

The process of underground coal gasification in Europe and Poland is not a technology used on an industrial scale. It is undergoing permanent research and testing, the subject of which has not yet referred to the in-depth analysis of the impact of the hydrogeological conditions on its course. Also, the hydrogeological analysis of UCG influence on the groundwater environment taking into account the geological and hydrogeological conditions of the potential or selected test areas of the research has not been conducted. Thus, the need for a reliable analysis of hydrogeological impact of the UCG process on groundwater environment is indicated in the paper along with the parts of the research considered to be the most important. Moreover, the possible risks and opportunities associated with the occurrence of groundwater in the geo-reactor's area and the directions of research that can be helpful when making investment decisions regarding protection of the area around the geo-reactor and the potential possibilities of recovery and management of post-process waste energy have been indicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]