Recovery of Highly Concentrated Methane from Mine Ventilation and Degasification Emissions using a Separator at a Negative Pressure Gradient

Valery A. Moiseev, Vladimir G. Andrienko, Vladimir G. Piletskii, Valery A. Donchenko and Andrey V. Chentsov

3rd proezd Marjinoy Roshchi, 40, Moscow 127018, Russia, CJSC COMPOMASH-TEK

DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.13005/bbra/2243

ABSTRACT: The article deals with the problems of recovery of methane from ventilation and degasification methane emissions from coal mines and its separation with concentration of up to 80%, suitable to use, for example, as fuel for internal combustion engines. Methane resources in coal beds in terms of reference fuel take the 3-4 position among fossil fuel resources in the world after coal, oil and natural gas. In 2013 global emissions of coal mine methane was approximately more than 50 bil. m3 of methane per year. On the one hand, mine gas is similar to natural gas and has useful properties of a fuel; on the other hand, when released to the atmosphere it inflicts the ecological damage. The solutions proposed for ultimate recovery of coal dust and methane from low concentration methane dust air emissions into the atmosphere are relevant and timely. The design solutions developed for the gas treating equipment are based on the use of the Ranque effect for energy vortex swirling of gas streams at a negative pressure gradient including ventilation and degasification methane emissions from coal mines with subsequent maximum possible recovery of highly concentrated methane and mechanical impurities. Keywords: coal mine methane, ventilation, degasification, methane dust air emissions, resources, ecology, separator, vortex flow, rarefaction, increase in concentration, specific energy consumption.

KEYWORDS: Negative pressure gradient; Emissions; Methane; Recovery

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