Quantification of Fugitive Methane Emission from Coal Mining and Handling Activities for Recent Years in India

摘要

Fugitive emissions from coal mining and handling activities are a considerable source of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. The methane is generated and stored in the coal seam during the coalification process. Methane is liberated during mining as the in situ pressure is disturbed artificially. Quantification of fugitive methane emission from coal mining and handling activities are necessary for regulatory and control purposes in relation to mine safety and environmental protection. Also there is a need for reliable fugitive methane estimates to prepare national emission inventories of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from different source categories. Since India is party to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) under the category of Non-Annex Ⅰ party. The 17/CP.8 guidelines of UNFCCC require each Non-Annex Ⅰ party to furnish information on greenhouse gases in its national inventory emitted from anthropogenic sources. In the present paper using the methodology suggested by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) the fugitive methane emission estimates have been prepared for the year 2008, 2009 and 2010.