Evaluation for the reduction and utilisation of coal mine methane emission with AHP method and decision tree

Abstract

We used the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method to construct an evaluation index system for the reduction and utilisation of coal mine methane (CMM) emission. We used the system to evaluate some coal mines in China and other major coal-producing countries. To simplify the process of evaluation, we established an evaluation model based on the evaluation data and on a decision tree. We conducted research to compare the two evaluation methods. We found that the results predicted by the model were basically consistent with the results from the evaluation index system. This finding verified the reliability of the evaluation model. Research and applications involving these evaluation methods may be beneficial for improving the regulations and management systems related to the reduction and utilisation of CMM emission in the main coal-producing countries.