Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Coalbed Methane: Scientific, Environmental and Economic Evaluation pp 89–110Cite as

Improving Coal Gas Recovery with Microbially Enhanced Coalbed Methane

  • Chapter

Abstract

Microbially enhanced coalbed methane (MECoM) imitates and enhances the natural process of secondary biogenic gas generation in coal beds that occurs in coal basins worldwide. MECoM involves the introduction of anaerobic bacterial consortia, which consists of hydrolyzers, acetogens and methanogens, and/or nutrients into coalbed methane wells. Coalbed methane production may increase through generation of additional methane, removal of pore-plugging coal waxes, and permeability enhancement as cleat-aperture size increases during biogasification. The amount of coal gas potentially generated by MECoM is large. If only one-hundredth of 1% (1/10,000) of U.S. (lower 48) coal resources were converted into methane using MECoM, gas resources would increase by 23 Tcf, or approximately 16% of current lower 48 nonassociated reserves. However, coal surface area and biogasification reaction rates in the subsurface may potentially limit gas generation, indicating that permeability enhancement may be the most significant benefit of MECoM. Additional research, including microbial sampling of deeply buried bituminous coals to identify genetically unique bacterial consortia, is required to fully evaluate MECoM and determine if the process will improve coalbed methane producibility. Successful implementation of MECoM requires an integrated approach towards understanding the geologic, hydrologic, organic and inorganic geochemistry, microbiological, and engineering factors that may limit MECoM in the subsurface. If economically feasible, MECoM can generate methane in coal beds that currently have limited coalbed methane potential, and thereby provide cheap, environmentally clean energy for many parts of the world.

Keywords

  • Bituminous Coal
  • Bacterial Consortium
  • Electric Power Research Institute
  • Methanogenic Bacterium
  • Cleat Spacing

These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References Cited

  • ARCTECH, Inc., 1990, Biological gasification of coals: final report prepared for the Department of Energy under contract no. DE-AC21–87MC23285: DOE/MC/23285–2878 (DE90015337), 130 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • ARCTECH, Inc., 1993, Biogasification of low-rank coals: final report prepared for the Electric Power Research Institute, EPRI TR-101572, variously paginated.

    Google Scholar 

  • Balkwill, D., and others, 1994, DOE seeks origin of deep subsurface bacteria: Transactions, American Geophysical Union, v. 75, no. 34, p. 385, 395–385, 396.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barik, S., Isbister, J., Hawley, B., Forgacs, T., and Reed, L., 1988, Microbial conversion of coals to clean fuel forms: preprints of papers presented at the 196th American Chemical Society National Meeting, September, v. 33, no. 4, p. 548–553.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barik, S., Isbister, R., and Berrill, P., 1991a, Coal biogasification research and process development: Proceedings, Second International Symposium on the Biological Processing of Coal: Palo Alto, California, Electric Power Research Institute, EPRI GS–7482, p. 6–23–6–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barik, S., Tiemans, K., and Isbister, J., 199 lb, Investigations of metabolites and optimization of bacterial culture for coal biogasification: final report prepared for the Gas Research Institute under contract no. 5088–221–1756 (GRI–91/0051), 67 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bayer, R. E., 1991, Gene transfer in the environment and coal bioprocessing with genetically engineered microorganisms: Proceedings, Second International Symposium on the Biological Processing of Coal: Palo Alto, California, Electric Power Research Institute, EPRI GS–7482, p. 2–17–2–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Benner, R., Maccubbin, A. E., and Hodson, R. E., 1984, Anaerobic biodegradation of the lignin and polysaccharide components of lignocellulose and synthetic lignin by sediment microflora: Applied and Environmental Microbiology, p. 998–1004.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chakrabarty, A. M., 1972, Genetic basis of the biodegradation of salicylate in Pseudomonas: Pseudomonas: Journal of Bacteriology, v. 112, p. 815–823.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chakrabarty, A. M., Chou, G., and Gunsalus, I. C., 1973, Genetic regulation of octane dissimulation plasmid in Pseudomonas: Proceedings, National Academy of Sciences, v. 70, p. 1137–1140.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Chakrabarty, A. M., Friello, D. A., and Bopp, L. H., 1978, Transposition of plasmid DNA segments specifying hydrocarbon degradation and their expression in various microorganisms: Proceedings, National Academy of Sciences, v. 75, p. 3109–3112.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Chapelle, F. H., 1993, Ground-water microbiology and geochemistry: New York, John Wiley & Sons, 424 p. Clayton, J. L., 1992, Role of microbial processes in petroleum systems: the petroleum system-status of research and methods: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 2007, p. 16–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Close, J. C., 1993, Natural fractures in coal, in Law, B. E., and Rice, D. D., eds., Hydrocarbons from coal: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Stildies in Geology no. 38, p. 119–132.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, M. S., and Gabriele, P. D., 1982, Degradation of coal by the fungi Polyporus versicolor and Poria monticoloa: Applied Environmental Microbiology, v. 44, p. 23–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Colberg, P. J., and Young., L. Y., 1985, Aromatic and volatile acid intermediates observed during anaerobic metabolism of lignin-derived oligomers: February, Applied and Environmental Microbiology, p. 350–358.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coleman, D. D., Risatti, J. B., and Schoell, M., 1981, Fractionation of carbon and hydrogen isotopes by methane oxidizing bacteria: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, v. 45, p. 1033–1037.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Connan, Jacques, 1984, Biodegradation of crude oils in reservoirs: Advances in Organic Geochemistry, 1984, v. 1, p. 300–335.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crawford, D. L., Gupta, R. K., Deobald, L. A., and Roberts, D. J., 1990, Biotransformations of coal and coal substructure model compounds by bacteria under aerobic and anaerobic conditions: Proceedings, First International Symposium on the Biological Processing of Coal: Palo Alto, California, Electric Power Research Institute, EPRI GS–6970, p. 4–29–4 43.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davison, B. H., Nicklaus, D. M., Misra, A., Lewis, S. N., and Faison, B. D., 1990, Utilization of microbially solubilized coal: Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, v. 24 /25, p. 447–456.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Dunker, K. F., and Rabat, B. G., 1993, Why America’s bridges are crumbling: Scientific American, p. 68.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fox, G. E., Magrum, M. W., Balch, W. E., Wolfe, R. S., and Woese, C. R., 1977, Classification of methanogenic bacteria by 16S ribosomal RNA characterization: Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, USA, v. 74, p. 4537–4541.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Goodwin, S., and Zeikus, J. G., 1987, Ecophysiological adaptations of anaerobic bacteria to low pH: analysis of anaerobic degradation in acidic peat bog sediments: Applied Environmental Microbiology, v. 53, p. 57–64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunt, J. M., 1979, Petroleum geochemistry and geology: San Francisco, W. H. Freeman, 617 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jack, T. R., 1983, Enhanced oil recovery by microbial action, in Yen, T. F., Kawahara, F. K., and Hertzberg, R., eds., Chemical and geochemical aspects of fossil energy extraction: Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor Science, 266 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaiser, W. R., Swartz, T. E., and Hawkins, G. J., 1991, Hydrology of the Fruitland Formation, San Juan Basin, in Ayers, W. B., Jr., eds., Geologic controls on the producibility of coalbed methane, Fruitland Formation, San Juan Basin: Gas Research Institute Topical Report GRI-91/0072, p. 195–241.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaiser, W. R., Hamilton, D. S., Scott, A. R., Tyler Roger, and Finley, R. J., 1994, Geologic and hydrologic controls on the producibility of coalbed methane: Journal of the Geological Society of London, v. 151, p. 417–420.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Kelley, R. M., and Deming, J. W., 1988, Extremely thermophilic Archaebacteria: biological and engineering consideration: Biotechnological Progress, v. 4, p. 47–62.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kiener, A., and Leisinger, T., 1983, Oxygen sensitivity of methanogenic bacteria: Systematic and Applied Microbiology, v. 4, p. 305–312.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Laubach, S. E., Marrett, R. A., Olson, J. E., and Scott, A. R., 1998, Characteristics and origins of coal cleat: a review: International Journal of Coal Geology, v. 35, p. 175–207.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Law, B. E., 1993, The relation between coal rank and cleat spacing: implications for the prediction of permeability in coal: Proceedings, 1993 International Coalbed Methane Symposium, v. I, p. 435–442.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lucia, F. J., 1983, Petrophysical parameters estimated from visual descriptions of carbonate rocks: a field classification of carbonate pore space: Journal of Petroleum Technology, March, p. 629–637.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mayor, M. J., Close, J. C., and Pratt, T. J., 1991, Western Cretaceous coal seam project summary of the Completion Optimization and Assessment Laboratory (COAL) site: Gas Research Institute Topical Report, GRI 91/0377, variously paginated.

    Google Scholar 

  • McInerney, M. J., and Beaty, P. S., 1988, Anaerobic community structure from a nonequilibrium thermodynamic perspective: Canadian Journal of Microbiology, v. 34, p. 487–493.

    Google Scholar 

  • Muralidharan, V., Hirsh, I. S., Peeples, T. L., and Kelley, R. M., 1991, Mixed cultures of high temperature bacteria: prospects for bioprocessing of fossil fuels: Proceedings, Second International Symposium on the Biological Processing of Coal: Palo Alto, California, Electric Power Research Institute, EPRI GS–7482, p. 6–51–6–67.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olson, G. J., Brickman, F. E., and Iverson, W. P., 1986, Processing of coal with microorganisms: final report prepared for the Electric Power Research Institute, EPRI AP-4472, variously paginated.

    Google Scholar 

  • Penny, G., S., and Conway, M. W., 1993, Coordinated studies in support of hydratslic fracturing of coalbed methane: Gas Research Institute Annual Report, GRI 93/0125, variously paginated.

    Google Scholar 

  • Polman, K. J., Breckenridge, C. R., and Delezene-Briggs, K. M., 1993, Microbiological analysis of Argonne Premium coal samples: Energy and Fuels, v. 7, p. 380–383.

    Google Scholar 

  • Quigley, D. R., Ward, B., Crawford, D. L., Hatcher, H. J., and Dugan, P. R., 1989, Evidence that microbially produced alkaline materials are involved in coal biosolubilization: Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, v. 20 /21, p. 753–763.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rittman, B. E., Valocchi, A. J., Seagren, E., Ray, C., Wrenn, B., and Gallagher, J. R., 1992, A critical review of bioremediation: topical report prepared for the Gas Research Institute, (GRI-92/0322), 152 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberts, M. A., and Crawford, D. L., 1991, Peroxidase and esterase production in coal depolymerizing Pseudomona strain DLC-62: Proceedings, Second International Symposium on the Biological Processing of Coal: Palo Alto, California, Electric Power Research Institute, EPRI GS-6970, p. 4–5 to 4–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott, A. R., 1993, Composition and origin of coalbed gases from selected basins in the United States: Proceedings, 1993 International Coalbed Methane Symposium, v. I, p. 207–216.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott, A. R., 1995, Limitations and possible benefits of microbially enhanced coalbed methane: Proceedings, International Unconventional Gas Symposium, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, p. 423–432

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott, A. R., and Kaiser, W. R., 1991, Relation between basin hydrology and Fruitland gas composition, San Juan Basin, Colorado and New Mexico: Quarterly Review of Methane from Coal Seams Technology, v. 9, no. 1, p. 10–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott, A. R., and Kaiser, W. R., 1995, Microbially enhanced coalbed methane: limitations and possible benefits (abs.): American Association of Petroleum Geologists Program, v. 4., p. 86A.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott, C. D., Faison, B. D., Woodward, C. A., and Brunson, R. R., 1991a, Anaerobic solubilization of coal by microorganisms and isolated enzymes: Proceedings, Second International Symposium on the Biological Processing of Coal: Palo Alto, California, Electric Power Research Institute, EPRI GS–7482, p. 4–29–4 46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott, A. R., Kaiser, W. R., and Ayers, W. B., Jr., 199 lb, Composition, distribution and origin of Fruitland and Pictured Cliffs Sandstone Gases, San Juan Basin, Colorado and New Mexico, in Schwochow, J., ed., Coalbed methane of western North America: Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists Guidebook, p. 93–108.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott, A. R., Kaiser, W. R., and Ayers, W. B., Jr., 1994, Thermogenic and secondary biogenic gases San Juan Basin, Colorado and New Mexico-implications for coalbed gas producibility: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 78, no. 8, p. 1186–1209.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott, A. R., Zhou, Naijiang, and Levine, J. R., 1995, An improved approach to estimating coal and coal gas resources: example from the Sand Wash Basin: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 79, p. 1320–1336.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sperl, P. L., and Sperl, G. T., 1993, New microorganisms and processes for MEOR: final report prepared for the U.S. Department of Energy, DOE/BC/14663–11, 46 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stettler, K. O., 1986, Diversity of extremely thermophilic Archaebacteria, in Brock, T. D., ed., Thermophiles: general, molecular, and applied microbiology: New York, John Wiley & Sons.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thauer, R. K., 1990, Energy metabolism of methanogenic bacteria: Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, v. 1018, p. 256–259.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thiele, J. H., Chartrain, M., and Zeikus, J. G., 1988, Control of interspecies electron flow during anaerobic digestion: role of floc formation in syntrophic methanogenesis: Applied and Environmental Microbiology, v. 54, no. 1, p. 10–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Torella, F., and Morita, R. Y., 1981, Microcultural study of bacterial size changes and microcolony and ultramicrocolony formation by heterotrophic bacteria in seawater: Applied and Environmental Microbiology, p. 518–527.

    Google Scholar 

  • Volkwein, J., 1990, Preliminary evidence microbial gasification of Pittsburgh seam coal: Proceedings, First International Symposium on the Biological Processing of Coal: Palo Alto, California, Electric Power Research Institute, EPRI GS-6970, p. P-37-P-43.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vorkink, W. P., and Lee, M. L., 1993, Appraisal of heavy hydrocarbons in coal seam gas reservoirs: Gas Research Institute Annual Report, GRI 92 /0501, 31 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vorres, K. S., 1990, The Argonne premium coal sample program: Energy & Fuels, v. 4, p. 420–426.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Whiticar, M. J., and Faber, E., 1986, Methane oxidation in sediment and water column environments—isotopic evidence: Advances in Organic Geochemistry, v. 10, p. 759–768.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Whiticar, M. J., Faber, E., and Schoell, M., 1986, Biogenic methane formation in marine and freshwater environments: CO2 reduction vs. acetate fermentation-isotopic evidence: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, v. 50, p. 693–709.

    Google Scholar 

  • Winfrey, M. R., 1984, Microbial production of methane, in Atlas, R. M., ed., Petroleum Microbiology: New York, Macmillan, Chapter 5, p. 153–220.

    Google Scholar 

  • Woese, C. R., and Fox, G. E., 1977, Phylogenetic structure of the prokaryotic domain: the primary kingdoms: Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, USA, v. 74, p. 5088–5090.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Wolfe, R. S., 1993, An historical overview of methanogenesis, in Ferry, J. G., ed., Methanogenesis: New York, Chapman & Hall, p. 1–32.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Zeikus, J. G., and Winfrey, M. R., 1976, Temperature limitations of methanogenesis in aquatic sediments: Applied and Environmental Microbiology, v. 31, p. 99–107.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhender, A. J. B., and Brock, T. D., 1980, Anaerobic methane oxidation: occurrence and ecology: Applied and Environmental Microbiology, v. 39, p. 194–204.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zinder, S. H., 1993, Physiological ecology of methanogens, in Ferry, J. G., ed., Methanogenesis: New York, Chapman & Hall, p. 128–206.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bureau of Economic Geology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA

    Andrew R. Scott

Authors
  1. Andrew R. Scott
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Indiana University, Bloomington, USA

    Maria Mastalerz

  2. The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

    Miryam Glikson & Suzanne D. Golding & 

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

Copyright information

© 1999 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Scott, A.R. (1999). Improving Coal Gas Recovery with Microbially Enhanced Coalbed Methane. In: Mastalerz, M., Glikson, M., Golding, S.D. (eds) Coalbed Methane: Scientific, Environmental and Economic Evaluation. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-1062-6_7

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-1062-6_7

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-90-481-5217-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-017-1062-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

search

Navigation