Method for estimating methane emissions from underground coal mines: Preliminary findings
The paper discusses the development of an improved method for estimating global methane (CH4) emissions from underground coal mining. Since emissions data are presently not available for surface mines, this method is currently restricted to underground mines. The EPA has embarked on a measurements program to quantify CH4 emissions from selected surface mines in the U.S. for later inclusion in this work. CH4 from underground mines can be liberated from three sources: ventilation shafts, gob wells, and crushing operations. Ventilation air, although generally containing 1% or less CH4, contributes most mine emissions because of the enormous volume of air used to ventilate the mine. Gob wells are drilled into the rubble-filled areas formed when the mine roof subsides into the unsupported cavity left behind by longwall mining. Their purpose is to remove CH4 which would otherwise have to be removed by larger and more costly ventilation systems. Currently, no published data exist for the release of CH4 from gob wells. However, preliminary data from the coal mining industry indicate that gob well CH4 emissions could account for a significant fraction of the total emissions associated with longwall mines. The method described in the paper integrates data on coal production, coal properties, coalbed CH4 contents, and coal mine ventilation air emissions from U.S. mines.
- Research Organization:
- Alliance Technologies Corp., Chapel Hill, NC (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 5368560
- Report Number(s):
- PB-91-223214/XAB; CNN: EPA-68-D9-0173
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Methane control on longwalls with cross-measure boreholes (Lower Kittanning Coalbed). Report of investigations/1985
Control of longwall gob gas with cross-measure boreholes: Upper Kittanning Coalbed. Report of investigations/1983
Related Subjects
012033* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Underground Mining-- Mine Environment-- (1987-)
AIR POLLUTION
ALKANES
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
COAL
COAL DEPOSITS
COAL MINING
COAL SEAMS
COMMINUTION
DATA PROCESSING
DEGASSING
EMISSION
ENERGY SOURCES
FORECASTING
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GAS ANALYSIS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
HYDROCARBONS
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
LONGWALL MINING
MATERIALS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MATHEMATICS
METHANE
MINERAL RESOURCES
MINING
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
POLLUTION
PROCESSING
PRODUCTION
REGRESSION ANALYSIS
RESOURCES
STATISTICS
STOWING
SURFACE MINING
UNDERGROUND MINING
US EPA
US ORGANIZATIONS
VENTILATION
WELLS