1319 In 2024, the Technology Promotion and Transfer Center Sp. z o. o. (CTiPT), in research and laboratory cooperation with the Faculty of Chemistry of the Jagiellonian University, Alpha Fluidic Associates Edmonton from Canada and the Experimental Mine „Barbara” of the Central Mining Institute - State Research Institute, completed the project VAMPIRE, the aim of which was to develop and testing of an innovative technology for the disposal of low-percentage methane from ventilation air mines in underground workings, while simultaneously converting thermal energy from the reaction oxidation of methane into the cold needed to air-condition mining areas. Final result of the project: there is a hybrid exergy installation with a modular structure built entirely in mine workings, operating on the basis of a modular catalytic reactor that converts methane from the mine ventilation air into energy used to air-condition the regions where mining is carried out and into an absorber that converts the hot air from the reactor into so-called ice water feeding the air conditioning equipment. The pilot plant tests were carried out in the methane concentration range of 0.4÷1.2% with an air flow of 40 to 1000 m3/min. Figure 6 - Example layout diagram of VAMPIRE equipment in the mining area of a mine To meet Poland's requirements to reduce methane emissions into the atmosphere, advanced work is underway to implement several innovative research and development projects co-financed by the Coal and Steel Research Fund. Project ProVAM (implementation 2023÷2026) - „Reduction of methane from ventilation air in the process transformation of hard coal mining”, the aim of which is to develop assumptions and guidelines for the disposal methane from ventilation air (VAM) through the analysis and testing of air parameters from European hard coal mines, multi-criteria CH emission forecast4 in the process of transformation of the mining sector carbon, identifying constraints and determining the conditions for building the VAM reduction installation and analysis of the adaptability of available VAM solutions, selection of the appropriate one and development of a dedicated one ventilation methane disposal technology based on laboratory tests and economic analysis its applications, followed by the development of a model and simulation of the installation's operation, technology research under conditions KD „Barbara', which will make it possible to create a concept for its application in hard coal mines. Project METH2GEN (implementation 2025÷2028) - „Conversion of methane to hydrogen as a reduction method for emissions and energy harvesting” aims to simultaneously reduce methane emissions in mines and convert it into hydrogen (using SMR technology - Steam Methane Reforming. The project assumes the implementation of a modern method of methane removal of the rock mass using directional drilling, which will significantly increase the efficiency of methane capture in mines (including KWK „Budryk”). This will make it possible to achieve a methane drainage efficiency of approximately 70% for operating walls. The second pillar of the project will involve constructing a plant to produce hydrogen from excess methane, which is currently being released into the atmosphere. The use of SMR technology will allow methane to be
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTM0Mzk2