Studies on work of a prototype installation with two types of catalytic bed in the reactor for oxidation of methane from mine ventilation air

Abstract

This work presents results of the use of an installation for catalytic oxidation of methane from coal mine ventilation air and a possibility of its energy recovery. It presents studies carried out on a quarter-technical scale. It reports the work conditions of the catalytic flow reactor cooperating with a heat exchanger allowing auto-thermal operation of the process and production of thermal energy. For the concentration of methane in air 0.5–0.6% and ventilation air flow rate 3000–3500m3·h−1 the methane oxidation installation worked without any supply of external energy (auto-thermally). At the same time heat was recovered and used to heat up the building housing the mine's main fans. Conducting the methane oxidation process at the concentration of methane in the air 0.48% and the ventilation air flow rate 2500m3·h−1 shows a difficulty in obtaining auto-thermal work of the installation.