Methane emissions from the mines belonging to the Hunedoara Energy Complex

Abstract

Methane emitted by the hard coal mines in operation in the Jiu Valley coalfield is under study in order to find out the most suitable solutions that increase occupational health and safety and at last, but not in the least, to capitalize the power generating potential of it. From the point of view of occupational safety, methane displays the highest risk because it can give birth to an explosive mixture with the air and the coal dust. Methane discharges into the outer atmosphere have a negative impact, increasing the greenhouse effect, with serious consequences over the parameters of the climate. This paper focuses on the use of mine gas in three important stages: solutions for the use of methane discharged by central degassing stations for power generating purposes; development of the network for the drainage of gases and increasing the volume of recovered methane; solutions for the use of CH4 from the general ventilation.