Use of ventilation air methane exhausted during mining of non-combustible ore in a surface appliance
US9677398B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 13, 2012 |
| Grant date | Jun 13, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 8, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E20/12
- WIPO fieldEnvironmental technology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Utilization of mine methane produced by mining a non-combustible ore, such as trona, as an energy source for heat, steam, and/or power generation. Such utilization is beneficial for a surface appliance which is close to surface outlet(s) of mine methane recovery system(s). A method for reducing greenhouse gas emissions generated during mining of a non-combustible ore uses the combustion of co-produced mine methane. The mine methane is recovered in a mine ventilation air exhaust with very low methane content, and may be additionally recovered in a drainage gas, such as gob gas, with much higher methane content. The surface appliance may be selected from the group consisting of calciner, dryer, boiler, kiln, furnace, engine, turbine, power generation unit, co-generation unit, and any combinations thereof. Benefits may include reduction in energy purchases, reduction in greenhouse emissions, and/or gain through sale of carbon credits to the carbon market by registering carbon reductions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.