Methane drainage from gassy Western US coal seams

Conference · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:5511827

Hucka, V. J.; Bodily, D. M.

Methane gas retained in gassy coal seams is a valuable source of clean energy. However, methane is also a potential safety hazard. Its removal prior to mining improves mine safety by reducing the potential for explosions as well as economics by decreasing ventilation costs. A method of field evaluation of methane content in some Western US coal seams is presented. Results of pre-mining degasification in seams of similar methane content are described. The results indicate that degasification, or methane drainage, depends heavily on coal permeability. Since the permeability is affected by the presence of joints, fractures and cleats in coal and associated strata, their influence on the optimum direction of boreholes was studied. The results of methane drainage are discussed and recommendations as to the orientation of boreholes with respect to the main cleat systems in coal are suggested. 18 refs., 8 figs., 2 tabs.

• Research Organization: Utah Univ., Salt Lake City, UT (USA). Dept. of Mining Engineering
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE/FE
• DOE Contract Number: FG22-88PC88939
• OSTI ID: 5511827
• Report Number(s): DOE/PC/88939-5; CONF-891018--1; ON: DE90002801
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
012033* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Underground Mining-- Mine Environment-- (1987-)
ALKANES
BOREHOLES
CAVITIES
COAL DEPOSITS
COAL MINING
COAL SEAMS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
HYDROCARBONS
METHANE
MINERAL RESOURCES
MINING
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PERMEABILITY
REMOVAL
RESOURCES
SAFETY