Tools available for methane recovery from mines belonging to C.E.H. Petroşani

National Institute for Research and Development in Mine Safety and Protection to Explosion – INSEMEX, 32-34 G-ral Vasile Milea Street, Petroșani, Hunedoara, Romania

¹ Author to whom all correspondence should be addressed: E-mail: emeric.chiuzan@insemex.ro

Abstract

Mine gas is present both in coals and in the surrounding rocks and basically consists of methane (some-times almost 100%) mixed with carbon dioxide (up to 5%) with nitrogen (a few percent) and traces of carbon monoxide. The genesis of mine gas can be related to the biochemical transformation of vegetation during the carbonization process.

The degassing of coal bed has been established as an active method of reducing methane emissions due to the need to ensure the exploitation of the bed with high productivity and in safe conditions.

The methane gas existing in the coal bed is captured through various types of drilling executed for this purpose, being directed through a system of pipes to the surface to the central degassing station from where it can be taken and directed for use for a specific purpose.

From an economic point of view, it has been proven that methane recovery from coal mines is again a profitable activity for both the mining company and a possible investor. The volume of methane from the coal deposits in Jiu Valley is very large and can provide large quantities for the recovery of this gas. At the same time, there was already a market for this product in Jiu Valley made up of industrial and individual consumers.