Abstract: The Oxiperator for Coal Mine Ventilation Air Methane (VAM)
Methane is a greenhouse gas up to 86 times more potent than CO2. (VAM) from coal mines is a major source. We are developing the "Oxiperator" for oxidizing VAM, a significant step in achieving low-cost methane destruction. The Oxiperator is a patented all-metal porous heat exchanger for oxidizing VAM. Much smaller than a Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer (RTO), much less costly to build, install, operate, and maintain. RTOs for VAM have been adopted at only 7 coal sites globally. They have difficulty oxidizing weak methane emissions below 0.5%. RTOs must also reverse flow every few minutes. Oxiperators run continuously, with no flow reversal. Oxiperators will handle VAM concentrations as weak as 0.3% all the way up to 100% methane. Additive Manufacture (3-D printing) optimizes performance and materials. Each Oxiperator will process VAM air at 20,000 to 40,000 cfm, delivered and operated out of a 40-foot shipping container for rapid installation, quick replacement, and relocation. For methane concentrations 1.5% or higher, the Oxiperator can be coupled to a gas turbine to generate power. This paper discusses the Oxiperator design, presents the lab-scale/field-scale experimental results and future plans. The full technical paper on Prabhu Energy Labs’ approach to oxidizing Coal Mine VAM is available upon request: [email protected] About NAMVS The North American Mine Ventilation Symposium is organized by the Underground Ventilation Committee (UVC) of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME). Since the first Symposium in 1982, the UVC has sought to provide mine ventilation engineers and technicians in the underground coal, metal, and industrial mineral mining industry with the latest information and operating practices from the field and promote the exchange of ideas and research in a variety of related areas to include the monitoring of air contaminants, determining fresh air requirements, and producing power efficient ventilation and cooling systems and energy-related topics. The NAMVS 2023 is a peer-reviewed symposium scheduled to run for 3 days. It will be made up of full-day parallel technical streams, include workshops, exhibit booths, networking activities and attract a total of approximately 300 delegates. Thank you to event organizer Purushotham Tukkaraja, Associate Professor and Graduate Program Coordinator, Department of Mining Engineering & Management, South Dakota Mines. Comments are closed.
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Mission Viejo & San Francisco, California, USA
Homepage photo credit Jonathan Newton, 2018 Washington Post article "Arctic Cauldron," captioned: "A rainbow shines over Esieh Lake, with the seep field of methane gas visible in the center."