Modeling of various degasification techniques: A case study from the amasra coal field, Turkey

Boren;DEMiR Export;et al;metso Expect results;Outotec;TMMOB Maden Muhendisleri Odasi23rd International Mining Congress and Exhibition of Turkey, IMCET 2013 -- 16 April 2013 through 19 April 2013 -- Antalya -- 105453The Zonguldak hardcoal basin, located on the Western Black Sea coast of Turkey, is the only hard coal basin in the country. The seams in the area are extremely gassy and coal mines have experienced a number of methane outbursts and explosions that have caused loss of life and property. In addition to the safety risk, methane emissions from the existing mines in the basin are a significant source of greenhouse gases (GHG) and their reduction and control is a major environmental concern. Therefore, extraction of methane from the coal seams in the basin can be a solution to both carbon management and safety performance, providing at the same time a clean energy source for the country. Developing methane recovery technologies, before and/or during the mining cycle, requires sound engineering practices to realize the environmental and safety benefits. The aim of this study, sponsored by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), is to investigate various options for the capture of coal mine methane in Zonguldak basin. The Amasra coal field, which is located in the eastern part of the basin, was chosen as the study area since there are mining activities in the region both by public and private sector companies. Hema Enerji A.S, a private company, has been developing a new underground coal mine in the region and the modeled coal seam in this study pertains to one of the panels under development by the company. The coal seam is at -420 m level and its thickness is around 4 m. An advanced general equation-of-state compositional simulator, Computer Modeling Group's GEM, was used to model methane capturing options, including pre-mining and mine level degasification techniques for methane recovery. The results will help to determine the most effective degasification techniques for this particular area