Coal mine gas: a new fuel utilization technique for India

ABSTRACT

Methane is associated with the coal has caused disaster in underground coal mines all over the world. However, coal mine gas utilization for fuel is a well-proven technology. Due to the different compositions of mine gas (0.1–95% CH₄), this technology is still in a developing stage in India. Based on mine-specific measurement of the rate of emission, all the underground coal mines in India have been categorized into Degree I, Degree II, and Degree III. Coal mine methane is a general description for all methane released prior to, during, and after mining operations. As such, there is considerable variability in flow rate and composition of the various gas emissions during mining operations. From extraction technology and utilization perspective, coal mine gas is classified into four categories: (1) virgin coalbed methane or pre-mining degasification, (2) coal mine methane or degasification of working seams, (3) ventilation air methane, (4) abandoned mine methane. It is useful to explore the entire range of uses for all forms of coal mine gas to maximize the viability of each opportunity. Coal mine gas utilization/mitigation technologies are divided into five board categories: natural gas substitution, direct use at or near the mine site, electricity generation and cogeneration, chemical feedstock and simple destruction. Opportunities of implementation of these options in India have been discussed in this paper. This study will help to motivate both applied and theoretical research work on coal mine gas sites in India and after detailed analysis, it will provide basic data to interested industries.

KEYWORDS:

• Coalbed methane
• coal degasification
• coal mine gas
• fuel
• mine ventilation air