Carbon fibre composite for ventilation air methane (VAM) capture

J Hazard Mater. 2009 Dec 30;172(2-3):1505-11. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2009.08.020. Epub 2009 Aug 12.

Abstract

Coal mine methane (CMM) is not only a hazardous greenhouse gas but is also a wasted energy resource, if not utilised. This paper evaluates a novel adsorbent material developed for capturing methane from ventilation air methane (VAM) gas in underground coal mines. The adsorbent material is a honeycomb monolithic carbon fibre composite (HMCFC) consisting of multiple parallel flow-through channels and the material exhibits unique features including low pressure drop, good mechanical properties, ability to handle dust-containing gas streams, good thermal and electrical conductivity and selective adsorption of gases. During this study, a series of HMCFC adsorbents (using different types of carbon fibres) were successfully fabricated. Experimental data demonstrated the proof-of-concept of using the HMCFC adsorbent to capture methane from VAM gas. The adsorption capacity of the HMCFC adsorbent was twice that of commercial activated carbon. Methane concentration of 0.56% in the inlet VAM gas stream is reduced to about 0.011% after it passes through the novel carbon fibre composite adsorbent material at ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure. This amounts to a maximum capture efficiency of 98%. These encouraging laboratory scale studies have prompted further large scale trials and economic assessment.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adsorption
  • Air Pollutants / isolation & purification*
  • Carbon / chemistry*
  • Carbon Fiber
  • Coal
  • Methane / isolation & purification*
  • Mining*
  • Ventilation

Substances

  • Air Pollutants
  • Carbon Fiber
  • Coal
  • Carbon
  • Methane