Analysis of the methane-bearing capacity in Polish hard coal mines in the years 1993–2018

Abstract

The process of underground coal production is inseparably connected with methane emissions. This gas has good energy characteristics and, at the same time, represents a huge threat to the safety of mining exploitation. Due to its flammability and explosiveness, the occurrence of methane-related incidents disturbs the entire production process and is extremely dangerous for the crew. Moreover, methane is a greenhouse gas that has a highly negative impact on the natural environment. These factors make it necessary to carry out works in order to limit its negative effects and increase its use as an energy raw material. The article presents the results of an analysis of the main parameters describing the methane-bearing capacity in Polish hard coal mines. The analysis was conducted within the scope of their absolute values and with reference to one tonne of coal extracted. The purpose of these studies was to identify the changes in the parameters under analysis over the last 25 years in the Polish mining industry and, at the same time, to determine how the structural changes in the mining industry and the entire economy influenced those parameters. This particularly concerns the emission of methane into the environment. The reason is that this value has a huge influence on the opinion about the mining industry. The results presented should be used for works on limiting the harmful effects of methane and increasing the degree of its utilisation in the economy.