Feasibility analysis of the in situ conversion of biomethane in surface weathered coal. (15th May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Guo, Hongyu; Li, Yunsong; Wang, Qian; Zhao, Weizhong; Jia, Jianbo; Lv, Jinghui; Liu, Sen; Xia, Daping
• Is Part Of: Fuel. Volume 268(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-05-15
• Subjects: Weathered coal -- Biomethane -- Physical properties characteristics -- In situ conversion -- Greenhouse effect; Fuel -- Periodicals; Coal -- Periodicals; Coal; Fuel; Periodicals; 662.6
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2020.117273
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0016-2361

Abstract

Abstract: In view of the large reserves but limited utilization of weathered coal in China, the potential of the in situ conversion of biomethane in weathered coal is discussed. Coal samples with different weathering degrees in the three coal-producing areas from Wuhai in Inner Mongolia, Jincheng and Taiyuan in Shanxi Province in China were selected for the experiment. The biogas production, physical properties and conversion potential of CH4 in regards to weathered coal were analyzed by biogas production simulations, mercury injection tests, isothermal absorption tests and estimation of the Gompertz model. The results showed that the biogas production potential of coal evidently increased with the increase in degree of weathering. The porosity of coal increased, whereas the specific surface area and affinity for methane were reduced, which provide a convenient environment for biogas collection and utilization. The estimation results from the Gompertz model showed that the potential of surface weathered coal conversion to biomethane was significant, and the greenhouse effect cannot be ignored. Therefore, a new model of the in situ conversion of weathered coal conversion to biomethane that facilitates clean utilization was proposed.