Shanxi Coking Coal Group Co., Ltd. recently announced a breakthrough in the enrichment of low-concentration coal mine gas.
Original by NLS
Shanxi Coking Coal Group Co., Ltd. recently announced a breakthrough in the enrichment of low-concentration coal mine gas. Its Clean Utilization of Coking Coal Laboratory has successfully developed a molecular sieve-based adsorbent with industrial application potential and an intelligent gas stabilization system that adapts to fluctuations in methane concentration. The team has also built an experimental setup that integrates this stabilization system with pressure swing adsorption technology, achieving a field-implementable solution capable of processing 10,000 standard cubic meters of gas per hour. These developments mark significant progress in advancing the utilization of low-concentration coal mine gas.
For years, much of the low-concentration gas extracted from coal mines has been vented due to the lack of efficient utilization methods, leading to wasted resources and environmental harm. In response to China’s push for better use of coal mine gas with a methane concentration below 8%, Shanxi Coking Coal launched this project in 2023 to tackle practical challenges in coal mining and improve resource efficiency.
After two years of research, the team has developed a process that raises methane concentration from 2%–3.5% to over 9% while maintaining a methane recovery rate above 75%. The enriched gas can be used for power generation and has also shown potential for methane fuel cells. This progress provides a practical solution to reducing gas emissions from coal mines, cutting waste, and lowering environmental impact, while also advancing the efficient use of coal mine gas in China.