Utilization of Ventilation Air Methane in Indian Coal Mines: Prospects and Challenges

TLDR

Methane, a coalification by‑product, is emitted in large quantities from underground mines, posing safety hazards and contributing to greenhouse gas emissions; India, the world’s third‑largest coal producer, generates substantial methane from its underground operations. The paper aims to describe atmospheric methane emissions from coal mining and to evaluate the potential of utilizing ventilation‑air methane as an energy source, thereby reducing emissions and generating carbon credits while outlining associated challenges. The study examines how methane is mixed with ventilation air below regulatory limits and vented, and assesses the feasibility of capturing this ventilation‑air methane for energy generation, including the associated technical and regulatory challenges. In 2010, 0.24 Tg of methane was emitted from underground mines, and the study demonstrates that utilizing ventilation‑air methane can yield.

Abstract

Methane is a by-product of coalification process and its emission in underground mine workings during mining operation poses a safety hazards on miners and machineries deployed in the mine. To ensure safety in underground mines, emitted methane is mixed with ventilation air below prescribed percentage and vented in the atmosphere. Methane content in ventilation air system is generally less than 0.02% but in huge quantity is vented into atmosphere. In year 2010, 0.24Tg of methane from underground coal mines was emitted in the atmosphere. But now-a-days, methane gas is recognized as a clean source of energy and a potent greenhouse gas. India is the third largest coal producer country in the world and about 12% of total coal production comes from underground mines up to a maximum depth of 600m and remaining from surface mines. Utilization of ventilation air methane is an option to reduce methane content in atmosphere and provide opportunities to earn carbon credits. This paper describes methane emission in the atmosphere from coal mining and handling activities, opportunity to utilizeventilation air methane as fuel to generate energy and challenges to be encountered in utilization. An economical benefit on the basis ventilation air methane utilization has also been presented.