Methane Mining

Justin Anderson

ChE 562

November 3, 2004

Overview

Background

Why Coal Bed Methane

Extraction

Output

Design Considerations

Summary

Methane

Main constituent of natural gas

Colorless

Odorless

Less dense than air

Coal Bed Methane

Found in coal seamsAbsorbed on internal surface of coal

6 to 7% more than in natural gas reservoirs

Produced as coal releases hydrogen

Contained by surrounding water

Why Coal Bed Methane

High demand for natural gas Must be ventilated Ease of recovery

Relatively close to surface Locations are known

Massive quantity 141 trillion ft3 recoverable in 1999 >700 trillion ft3 with advances in technology

Extraction

Pilot Wells Determination of:

Coal thickness Methane content Coal permeability

Planning Maximization of:

Production Field life Profitability

Output

Dependent on: Thickness Lateral continuity Permeability

Fracturing Cleats

Depth of burial Barriers

Impermeable layers Faults Folds

Generalized map of potential and current methane coal bed mines. Wasatch Plateau and San Juan Basin are 2 areas of current study.

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

http://energy.cr.usgs.gov/oilgas/cbmethane/index.htm

Typical CMM Degasification Systems

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

http://www.epa.gov/coalbed/overview.html

Specific Degasification Systems

Vertical Well

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (LZW) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

http://www.cmpdi.co.in/cbm/CBM%20papers/ Methane%20Reduction%20Options/red001.pdf

Specific Degasification Systems

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (LZW) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Gob Well

http://www.cmpdi.co.in/cbm/CBM%20papers/ Methane%20Reduction%20Options/red001.pdf

Specific Degasification Systems

Horizontal Borehole

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (LZW) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

http://www.cmpdi.co.in/cbm/CBM%20papers/ Methane%20Reduction%20Options/red001.pdf

Coal Bed Drainage Costs

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (LZW) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Coal Bed Drainage Costs

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (LZW) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Implementation Model

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (LZW) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Implementation Model

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (LZW) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Alternative Uses

Co-firing in boilers District heating Coal drying Vehicle fuel Carbon black feedstock Methanol production Dimethyl ether production

Concerns

EnvironmentalDisposal of barrier water

High TDS/L Pump back in Evaporation ponds Freezing

ExplosivenessRemoval beneficial to coal miners

Summary of Benefits

Reduced ventilationWorker safetyEmissions

Local utilizationHeating and drying

Increased profitsHigh quality methane

References

http://www.epa.gov

http://www.personal.psu.edu/users/a/n/ans151/coalbed.html

http://energy.cr.usgs.gov

http://www.gswindell.com

http://www.cmpdi.co.in/cbm/CBM%20papers/ Methane%20Reduction%20Options/red001.pdf