CH4MIN TECHNOLOGY: METHANE EMISSIONS MITIGATIONS AND HEAT RECOVERY FROM COAL MINES

3rd International Scientific Conference - SGEM2003, www.sgem.org, SGEM2003 Conference Proceedings/ ISBN: 954-918181-2, June 9-13, 2003, 271- 276pp

ABSTRACT

The opportunity for heat recovery and greenhouse gas elimination from
dilute methane emissions from coal mine ventilation air, oil and gas industries and
landfill by using a Catalytic Flow Reversal Reactor (CFRR) technology is
discussed. The CFRR technology has been experimentally proven to eliminate
methane as dilute as 0.1 % v/v in air, with no requirement for external heat.
Indeed, for concentrations above 0.3 %v/v, the methane heat of oxidation can be
recovered with efficiency up to 90% as 800oC hot air. Utilization of this heat
further reduces greenhouse gas emissions by correspondingly decreasing world
fuel energy consumption.
This paper describes the operating principles of CFRR technology,
mathematical simulations and experimental work performed on 500 mm pilot
units, for estimating the heat extraction efficiency from dilute (0.1-1.0 % v/v)
methane in air gases. A preliminary economic analysis of an industrial CFRR
application is presented.