Coal and Climate Change - Methane Capture and Use

Overview

The capture and utilisation of methane gas is receiving increasing attention by both mining companies and energy producers. Methane, the major component of natural gas, is also a by-product of the coal formation process.

In many underground mines, it has to be drained from the coal seam prior to mining to ensure safe working conditions. In some cases, it is used to fuel gas turbines for mine site and for urban electricity generation.

Methane capture and utilisation can improve mine safety, reduce emissions into the atmosphere and provide an alternative energy source.

Australian Examples

Outside the United States, Australia has the most commercially advanced coal mine methane (CMM) and coal bed methane (CBM) industry and is home to the largest CMM power project in the world - at the Moura mine in Queensland (see below).

Moura Coal Mine Seamgas Operation

The Moura Mine, located in the Bowen Basin in Queensland, established a commercial coal mine methane business next to its coal mining operations in 1996. This project is unique in that it degasifies both from an underground and a high wall mine.

Gas is recovered using horizontal wells drilled up to 1500 metres into the coal seam five years ahead of mining. A gas processing plant located on site dehydrates and compresses the gas before delivering it to Queensland State Gas via a 20 mile pipeline constructed for the project.

Further information on the Moura Coal Mine Seamgas Operation is available from World Coal Institute Web Site.

Appin Tower Coal Bed Methane Power Project

In New South Wales, the Appin and Tower Collieries, operated by BHP Billiton, produce electric power by using drained coal mine methane. The project uses 94 one-megawatt engines.

In addition, the 54 engines located at the Appin site also consume mine ventilation air as combustion air, thereby destroying fumigant methane before it can be emitted to the atmosphere while simultaneously capturing its energy value.

The project has operated at full capacity since 1996, and operates 365 days per year. The project achieves a reduction of nearly 3 million tons per year of CO2 equivalent, making it one of the largest Greenhouse gas reduction projects in Australia.

Further information on the Appin Tower Power Project is available from the World Coal Institute Web Site.

Other Developments in Australia

Australia continues to be leader in promoting coal mine methane (CMM) recovery - see more projects under the Federal Government's $400 million Greenhouse Gas Abatement Program.

Further References/Links:

Information on CBM/CMM activities and issues from around the world is available through the US Environment Protection Agency's Coalbed Methane Outreach Program at: http://www.epa.gov/cmop/index.html

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