Methods for destroying colliery methane and system for practicing same
US5921763A · kind A · utility
41Cited by
16References
13Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 2, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jul 13, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 2, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E20/12
- WIPO fieldEnvironmental technology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Improved methods for the destruction of methane gas within a colliery ventilation stream are provided that include the efficient utilization of the energy obtained from the oxidation of the methane gas. In practicing the methods, a colliery vent gas, containing a dilute concentration of methane in air, is oxidized within a matrix bed of heat resistant material to convert the methane to oxidation products with the simultaneous release of heat energy. The heat energy is recovered to thermally heat a working fluid used to operate a steam turbine to produce electricity.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.