A team of North-East scientists has embarked on a major study of a technology that could help reduce the world’s carbon dioxide emissions.

The work by the Newcastle University-led project team links expertise developed in the region’s coalmining industry with cutting-edge modern research.

At the heart of the project is Underground Coal Gasification with Carbon Capture and Storage (UCG-CSS).

The process involves the gasification of coal in the seam through the introduction of hot steam and oxygen. The resultant gas mixture, syngas, can be used as chemical feedstock for products ranging from plastics to liquid transport fuels or for driving turbines to generate electricity.

Under the leadership of the Sir Joseph Swan Institute of Energy Research, the university team brought together leading UK specialists to investigate the potential, funded by One North East.

Find out more at www.ncl.ac.uk/ihg.