SUMMARY
As the energy industry progresses towards methane (CH4) emissions measurement, management, mitigation and control, one typically thinks of those from oil and gas wells and hydrocarbon processing facilities. An often unnoticed emission source is from closed mine methane (CMM) or abandoned mine methane (AMM). In 2019, the EPA reported that United States, CMM, and AMM emissions represent 8.0% of the country’s total. Today, many of these coal mine emissions are dangerously close to urban or rural development.
APPLICATION
The client has CMM or AMM sites in Illinois and requires an accurate, repeatable, auditable, and defensible gas quantification device to detect, monitor, and digitally record coal mine vent emissions to get ahead of mandatory reporting. The client approached Ventbuster Instruments to apply its technology, providing the best solution for this project. Working in partnership with the Well Done Foundation, technology was deployed to the client’s CMM and AMM sites.
THE CHALLENGE
Conventional gas metering technology cannot accurately detect, continuously measure, and digitally record such diffusing CH4 rates for this application. As these vents are similar to surface casing vents on oil and gas wells, it was only logical that the Ventbuster® be deployed.
CLIENT BENEFIT
Precision detection of diffusing CH4 gas leaking into the atmosphere to engineer and plan for economic mitigation.
Accurate and reliable digital data transmitted for real-time monitoring.
Continuous measurement and accurate quantification.
Regulatory compliance.
PROBLEM SOLVED
With tried and tested Ventbuster® equipment deployed across the United States and Canada, we were invited to accelerate this ground-breaking pilot project in Illinois. We provided point-source CH4 emissions quantification of CMM and AMM from diffusing vents. Our tech is now enabling measurement of the once immeasurable, ultra-low pressured CH4 emissions from coal mines. With a precise and continuous flow rate, flow pressure and flow temperature being digitally recorded and transmitted live to our secure IoT platform and dashboard display, a baseline of emissions is established for the mine owner and/or regulator to facilitate economic mitigation or recovery solutions.
The client now has a proven and reliable methodology to permanently or periodically test, monitor and report the CMM and AMM emissions and remain compliant with industry regulators.
MOVING TOWARDS NET-ZERO
Ventbuster Instruments customizes its equipment to measure a vast array of CH4 emitters. Using the Ventbuster® technology to measure emission flow rates and CH4 mass volumes assists in effective management and has proven invaluable in carbon trading and the carbon offset market.
By taking on this responsibility to precisely quantify and acknowledge our carbon footprint, the energy industry and Ventbuster Instruments can make significant steps toward achieving net zero.
For further information about Ventbuster Instruments and our technology, please visit our website at www.ventbusters.com. Gain insight into our technology, its function, and deployment and review our technical data sheets and other information documents.