An analysis of the potential use of methane from hard coal mines in a trigeneration system to reduce emissions into the atmosphere

Abstract

Greenhouse gases and their emissions are issues that are being increasingly discussed due to climate change. Next to carbon dioxide, methane is considered one of the most important greenhouse gases. Reducing methane emissions could result in noticeable environmental benefits in a short time. Anthropogenic emissions constitute approximately 60 of total methane emissions and thus solutions to reduce emissions of this gas are most often sought in this sector. The subject of the study is the methane capture system in the “Pniówek” mine, belonging to the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (southern Poland), and the potential for methane management using a trigeneration system. The article discusses the utilization of methane from hard coal mines to reduce its emissions into the atmosphere and as a profitable solution to use the emitted gas. The authors describe a trigeneration system in which methane from the mine is burned in gas engines and used to produce electricity, heat, and cooling energy. This allows for reducing methane emissions into the atmosphere while increasing the efficiency of coal use. The article shows the results of measurements carried out in a hard coal mine in Poland. The presented example indicates the ecological and economic benefits resulting from the use of a trigeneration system.