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Coalbed Methane
Outreach Program
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Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Advancing Sustainable Economic Growth
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I "Addressing global climate change will require
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a sustained effort, over many generations .... [SJustained
economic growth is the solution, not the problem—
because a nation that grows its economy is a nation that
can afford investments in efficiency, new technologies, and
a cleaner environment."
— President George W. Bush
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Our Mission
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's
Coalbed Methane Outreach Program (CMOP) is
a voluntary program whose goal is to reduce
methane emissions from coal mining activities.
Our mission is to promote the profitable recovery
and utilization of coal mine methane (CMM), a
potent greenhouse gas (GHG) that contributes to
climate change if emitted to the atmosphere, but
is a valuable fuel source when collected and
used for energy.
Since 1994, CMOP has worked cooperatively
with the coal mining industry to reduce CMM
emissions. By helping to identify and implement
methods to recover and use CMM instead of
emitting it to the atmosphere, CMOP has played
a key role in the United States' efforts to reduce
GHG emissions and address global climate
change.
This guide provides a brief overview of CMM —
what it is, how it can be used, and the benefits of
using it. We also describe ventilation air
methane, an important source of CMM that
holds great potential for future emissions reduc-
tions. Finally, we summarize CMOP activities and
highlight some of our
accomplishments.
Program goals:
• Reduce GHG emissions
• Achieve the profitable recovery and use of CMM
• Promote use of a clean energy source
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What Is Coal Mine Methane?
Coal mine methane (CMM) refers to methane
released from the coal and surrounding rock stra-
ta due to mining activities. In underground mines,
it can create an explosive hazard to coal miners,
so it is removed through ventilation systems. In
some instances, it is necessary to supplement the
ventilation with a degasification system consist-
ing of a network of boreholes and gas pipelines.
In abandoned mines and surface mines,
methane might also escape to the atmosphere
through natural fissures or other diffuse sources.
Sources of CMM
There are three main sources of CMM, which
produce methane of different qualities and
quantities.
• Degasification systems are employed before,
during, and after mining activities:
— Premining (vertical wells): Produce medium-
to high-quality gas that is often suitable for
direct use in the natural gas pipeline system.
— In-mine (boreholes): Produce gas ranging
from about 30 percent to more than 90 per-
cent methane.
— Post-mine (gob wells): Produce low- to
medium-quality gas.
• Ventilation air methane (VAM) produces dilute
gas concentrations (only about 1 percent
methane) but is emitted in large quantities.
VAM constitutes nearly half of all CMM and is
critical to global reduction of CMM emissions.
• Abandoned or closed mines produce emis-
sions of low- to medium-quality gas from dif-
fuse vents or via ventilation pipes or boreholes.
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Ways in Which Methane is Removed from Active Coal Mines
Types of Degasification Systems
Degasification systems, also commonly referred to as drainage systems,
employ vertical and horizontal wells to recover methane in advance of,
during, or after mining activities. Pre-mining vertical well degasification and
in-mine boreholes, for example, produce a medium- to high-quality gas
that may be suitable for injection into natural gas pipelines. Post-mine
drainage systems (also called "gob" wells) yield a low- to medium-quality
gas that can be used for power generation, mine heating, or coal drying.
Ventilation
System
Vertical Pre-mine
We" Mine Shaft
Ventilation Air Methane
Ventilation systems draw clean air
into and throqgh the mine to dilute
and remove methane. As a result,
large volumes of ventilation air con-
tain very low concentrations of
methane, which may be harnessed
for energy.
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How Can CMM Be Used?
Technology is readily available to recover
methane (CH4)—the major component of natural
gas—from coal mines. Specific CMM end-uses
depend on the gas quality, especially the con-
centration of methane and the presence of other
contaminants.
CMM is often sold directly to natural gas pipeline systems.
Worldwide, CMM is most often used for power
generation, district heating, boiler fuel, or town
gas, or it is sold to natural gas pipeline systems.
CMM also can be used in many other ways:
• Coal drying
• Heat source for mine ventilation air
• Supplemental fuel for mine boilers
• Vehicle fuel as compressed or liquified natural
gas (LNG)
• Manufacturing feedstock
• Fuel source for fuel cells and internal combus-
tion engines
To date, almost all CMM captured and used from
active U.S. mines is recovered from gas drainage
systems.
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Internal combustion engines using CMM. Source: Northwest Fuels Development
Example of a fuel cell that utilizes CMM. Source: Northwest Fuels Development
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Benefits of Capturing CMM
There are numerous benefits to capturing CMM
rather than simply emitting it to the atmosphere.
• Methane is a potent GHG. Extremely effec-
tive at trapping heat in the atmosphere,
methane is more than 20 times more powerful
(by weight) at warming the atmosphere than
carbon dioxide. Coal mining is a significant
source of methane: it contributes about 10
percent of all human-related methane emis-
sions in the United States.
• Methane is a valuable, clean burning energy
source that would otherwise be wasted.
• Methane is an explosive gas that poses a
threat to mine and miner safety.
• Recovering and using CMM is a win-win
solution!
— Reduces GHG emissions
— Increases mine productivity and generates
revenue
— Improves air quality
— Utilizes skilled labor, resulting in job creation
— Leads to greater energy independence
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"Jim Walter Resources, Inc., a pioneer in the
capture and utilization of both coalbed methane
and coal mine methane, is convinced that
degasification has been a critical element of its
successful mining operation. The degas activities
result in increased mining efficiency while at
the same time the improved mining efficiency
yields better degasification potential."
—Chuck Dixon
formerly with Jim Walter Resources
"The U.S. coal industry is a leader in CMM recovery
techniques, and many of our companies have been
working with EPA to improve recovery technologies."
—Jack Gerard, President and CEO
National Mining Association
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What is VAM and Why Is It
Important?
To ensure mine safety, mine ventilation air flow
rates are maintained at very high levels to dilute
in-mine methane concentration to well-below
explosive levels. Typically, methane concentra-
tions in ventilation air range from 0.1 percent to
1.0 percent.
Ventilation air methane (VAM) represents nearly
half of all coal-mining emissions in the United
States and worldwide, and—with few excep-
tions—is simply released to the atmosphere.
What are the potential markets for VAM?
The high volumetric flow rate and low concentra-
tions of VAM make it difficult to utilize cost-
effectively. Technologies to capture and harness
the energy resource in VAM are currently being
developed, demonstrated, and commercialized.
These include thermal and catalytic oxidizers,
turbines and microturbines, and fluidized beds.
What are potential uses of VAM?
• Methane oxidation, which reduces GHG
emissions
• Heat recovery and use
• Power generation as primary or supplementary
fuel in engines and turbines
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Sources of U.S. Coal Mine Methane Emissions
Ventilation air methane (VAM) constitutes the largest portion
of underground U.S. coal mine emissions, and represents a
critical opportunity for GHG emissions reductions.
5%
Underground CMM
That Is Drained
1 1 0/ and Vented
Post Mining
(Underground
and Surface)
Emissions
13%
Surface
Mining
Emissions
25%
Underground
CMM That Is
Captured and Used
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CMOP Activities
EPA's Coalbed Methane Outreach Program
(CMOP) is engaged in numerous domestic and
international outreach efforts.
Domestic Outreach
CMOP works cooperatively with the coal mining
industry to support project development; over-
come institutional, technical, regulatory, and
financial barriers to implementation; and commu-
nicate the benefits of CMM recovery. Specific
program activities include:
• Identifying, evaluating, and promoting methane
reduction options, including technological
innovations and market mechanisms to
encourage project implementation.
• Conducting workshops to educate the mining
industry on the environmental, mine safety,
and economic benefits of methane recovery.
How to reach CMOP:
www.epa.gov/cmop
Reports available online or by calling 800 STAR-YES
Preparing and disseminating reports and other
materials that address topics ranging from
technical and economic analyses to overviews
of legal issues.
Interfacing with all facets of the mining industry
to advance project development.
Conducting feasibility and pre-feasibility stud-
ies for U.S. mines that examine a range of
end-use options.
Providing global access to information regarding
latest development through the CMOP Web
site and regular email updates and newsletters.
Photo by David Parsons, courtesy of National Renewable
Energy Laboratory
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International Outreach
CMOP continues to develop partnerships, fund
grants, and engage in international outreach to
promote CMM recovery and reduce CMM emis-
sions globally. We have established partnerships
and helped set up information clearinghouses
in several countries, including China, Russia,
and Ukraine.
Methane to Markets
Partnership
CMOP is actively engaged in implementing the
Methane to Markets Partnership, which involves
efforts by the Unites States and our international
partners to reduce methane emissions from coal
mines, landfills, and natural gas and oil systems.
Using collaborative public-private partnerships, the
initiative focuses on near-term methane recovery
for use as a clean energy source.
CMOP International Activities
For more information on the partnership and
CMOP international activities, visit
or .
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CMOP Achievements—
U.S. Emissions Reductions
CMOP has assisted the U.S. coal mining industry
in successfully reducing its methane emissions
by more than 19 percent since the program was
launched in 1994. Most of this reduction is due
to mines recovering and utilizing drained gas.
Today, the U.S. coal industry recovers more than
80 percent of all drained CMM.
Total U.S. CMM emissions reductions since
1994 are equivalent to:
• Removing nearly 40 million automobiles per
year from the roads
• Planting more than 54 million acres of trees
• Providing power to heat more than 6 million
homes per year
U.S. CMM reductions since 1994 have effectively
removed the equivalent of more than 180 million
tons of carbon dioxide (440 billion cubic feet)
from the atmosphere.
These emissions reductions have had an impor-
tant economic impact as well. CMM gas sales
nationally generate more than $50 million in rev-
enue per year.
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U.S. CMM Emissions Are Decreasing
CMOP has played a significant role in decreasing U.S. CMM emissions
since 1994, largely due to recovery and utilization of drained CMM.
175,000
^ 150,000
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75,000
50,000
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Ventilation Air Methane Emissions
(Vented to Atmosphere)
CMM Drainage (Recovered and Used)
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002
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x>EFV\
United States
Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. (6207J)
Washington, DC 20460
Official Business
Penalty for Private Use $300
EPA430-K-05-003
February 2005
www.epa.gov/cmop
C O A L B E D
METHANE
OUTREACH
PROGRAM
Recycled/Recyclable, Printed with vegetable oil-based inks on 100% (minimum 50% postconsumer) recycled paper.
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