Survey of Coal Industry Programs for Utilization of Methane from Coal Seams

摘要

The purpose of this study was to determine the activity in the private sector of the United States regarding removal and utilization of coalbed methane. An attempt was made to learn to what extent and for what purposes coalbed methane is currently being used, what experimental programs exist, and what programs are planned or proposed. Information was obtained primarily from interviews with coal industry personnel familiar with the subject of recovery of methane from coalbeds. Methods presently used or under investigation in the United States for removing methane from coalbeds are briefly described, and factors to consider when planning methane removal are presented. The study identifies various obstacles that must be overcome for methane removal techniques to become routine procedures and for the methane captured to become attractive as a fuel.