Reducing gas and dust emission from a coal seam - using methane-oxidising bacteria and sealing with a polymer

摘要

The emission of gas and dust from a coal seam is reduced by opening up the seam through cased holes drilled from the surface. Then fluids of different viscosity and acidity are injected in the course of hydraulic fracturing with seam cracks, and expanding and forming a single hydraulic system. Then liq. and gaseous reaction products are removed through the holes. Then a suspension contg. methane-oxidising bacteria, air and a nutrient medium for the bacteria is injected. Finally solns. of polymers or monomers, plus catalysts providing the transition to the solid state, are injected. The sequence of treatment steps provides a reduction in gas and dust not possible from any of the steps performed alone. The treatment can be effected through test walls specially designed for the purpose.