Coal mine methane utilization options

摘要

Coal mine methane (CMM) utilization activities have been accelerating over the last 20 years. The technologies range from power generation and pipeline delivery of the CMM to uses such as combustion for thermal heating or simply flaring to mitigate anthropogenic emissions of methane into the atmosphere. NW Fuel has had design and operating experience with the following CMM utilization technologies over the last two decades: electricity generation, gas processing and delivery to a natural gas pipeline, direct combustion of methane for mine air heating, replacement of propane use at a mine with CMM, and flaring of CMM to generate carbon offset (greenhouse gas) credits. A broad spectrum of technologies is available for capture and use of CMM. The coal operator needs to consider all of these in the context of business and environmental constraints. The operator must also study the CMM resource to make sure that enough gas is available over the life of the project.