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Challenges to Developing Methane Biofiltration for Coal Mine Ventilation Air: A Review

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Abstract

Coal mine methane is a significant greenhouse gas source as well as a potential lost energy resource if not effectively used. In recent years, mine ventilation air (MVA) capture and use has become a key element of research and development due to comparatively larger methane emissions by MVA than other coal mine sources. Technologies have been evaluated to treat the low methane concentrations in MVA such as thermal-based technologies or processing by biofiltration. This review initially considers the techniques available for treating the low methane concentrations encountered in MVA, after which it focuses on developments in biofiltration systems. Biofiltration represents a simple, energy-efficient, and cheap alternative to oxidize methane from MVA. Major factors influencing biofilter performance along with knowledge gaps in relation to its application to MVA are identified and discussed.

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Acknowledgments

This study is supported by the Australian Coal Association Research Program (Project C16048). The authors would like to thank Dr. Andrew Smith for his support during the project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Chemical Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Hendy Limbri, Cindy Gunawan & Jason Scott

  2. School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Bettina Rosche

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  1. Hendy Limbri
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  2. Cindy Gunawan
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  3. Bettina Rosche
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Correspondence to Jason Scott.

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Limbri, H., Gunawan, C., Rosche, B. et al. Challenges to Developing Methane Biofiltration for Coal Mine Ventilation Air: A Review. Water Air Soil Pollut 224, 1566 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-013-1566-5

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