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- USING COAL SEAMS FOR CO2 SEQUESTRATION
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USING COAL SEAMS FOR CO2 SEQUESTRATION
Abstract
Injection of carbon dioxide, an important anthropogenic greenhouse gas, into deep unminable coal seams can enhance methane recovery, whilst simultaneously locking up the carbon dioxide in the coal measure. The process is known as CO2 enhanced coal bed methane production (CO2-ECBM). Providing the coal is never mined, the carbon dioxide would be sequestered for many years and thereby help to avoid climate change. The worldwide potential for CO2 sequestration in deep unminable coal seams has been estimated at 148 Gt CO2. Analysis of representative CO2ECBM projects indicates that 5 to 15 Gt of carbon dioxide could conceivably be sequestered at a net profit, while about 60 Gt of sequestration capacity may be available at moderate costs of under $50/t CO2, not including the cost of capture. Currently, CO2-ECBM technology is at an early stage of technical development. However, new demonstration projects currently under development should provide valuable information on the technology that should allow a decision to made within a few years on whether the technology can be regarded as a safe and environmentally acceptable mitigation technology.
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About: John J. GALE
IEA Greenhouse Gas R&D Programme, Cheltenham, GL52 4RZ UK. E-mail : johng@ieagreen.demon.co.uk