Clean Energy Capability Portfolio | Clean Fuels |
Coal Mine Methane Capture and Conversion
to Energy
Coal mine methane released from coal extraction activities accounts for six percent of global greenhouse gas emissions . The development of a nextgeneration methane capture and conversion system provides a high-efficiency solution for the multi-trillion dollar mining industry to improve health and safety , reduce greenhouse gas emissions , and capture clean energy . |
Competitive Advantage • Interdisciplinary research expertise in coal mine methane , mining geomechanics , and seismology
• Experience collaborating with local and international mining companies
• Computational resources , numerical software packages , and laboratory facilities
Impact • Improve mine health and safety
• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change
• Convert fugitive emissions from coal mines to usable energy
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Capabilities and Facilities • Numerical simulation strengths in rock mechanics , reservoir evaluation , production planning and prediction
• Lab testing facilities for rock strength and petrophysics properties in field conditions
• Advanced lab testing for multiphysics rock behaviour ( permeability , acoustic emissions , and ultrasonic ) in high-pressure-high temperature triaxial cell
Our Collaborators • Anglo American Steelmaking Coal
• Australian Coal Association Research Program ( ACARP )
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Successful Applications |
• Australian Research Council ( ARC )
• BMA
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• Extended gas drainage production time in Queensland mines from 20 to over 100 days , and increased total gas production volume by one order of magnitude |
• Coal Services
• Glencore
• South32
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• Characterisation of gas content in coal seams and coal measures based on geophysical logs
• Optimisation of gas drainage designs in European and Chinese coal mines to increase methane purity by 30 %
• Mining induced fracture characterisation to significantly reduce drilling costs
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More Information Dr Guangyao Si School of Minerals and Energy Resources Engineering T : + 61 2 9385 5727 E : g . si @ unsw . edu . au
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