In situ instrumentation: Final report of a joint EE/ME group study

Greater utilization of our fossil fuel and geothermal resources is vital to our future national economic well-being. However, the economic utilization of oil shale, some coal deposits and geothermal resources may depend on in situ processing. In turn, the optimal development of in situ coal gasification, oil shale retorting and geothermal energy conversion may depend on measurement and control of parameters critical to these processes. This report summarized a study to determine the measurements needed for each energy process and the kinds of instrumentation which, if successfully developed, could provide these measurements. Recommended instrumentation development, together with estimated development costs, are presented.