Fugitive methane emissions from Indian coal mining and handling activities: estimates, mitigation and opportunities for its utilization to generate clean energy

摘要

Fugitive methane emissions from fossil fuel extraction account for significant contribution towards greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in India. Out of total all-India GHG emissions of 1.88 million Gg-CO2 equivalent in 2010 (with LULUCF), 48928.66 Gg-CO2equivalent belonged to fugitive emissions from fossil fuel extraction. Methane emission from coal mining and handling activities has increased from 0.555 Tg in 1991 to 0.765 Tg in 2012, as per national emission factors developed by CSIR-CIMFR. These estimates have been prepared as part of India's Second National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Biennial Update Report (BUR). With increasing demand of coal, current production is likely to touch around a billion tonnes by 2020. In this paper a time series data of coal production and associated fugitive methane emissions from coal mining and handling activities have been presented up to the year 2012. The methane released from coal mining and also coalbed methane can supplement India's scarce natural gas reserves and act as a GHG mitigation opportunity. There are several technologies to achieve this in India, which include: 1. Coalbed methane (CBM): There exists an estimated potential of 400 BCM of CBM in three provinces viz. Jharkhand, West Bengal and Chhatisgarh. Commercial scale exploitation of CBM has already begun in Raniganj Coalfield in India. 2. Coal Mine Methane (CMM): Three coalfields in the Damodar River Basin (Raniganj, Jharia and Bokaro) were studied for feasibility of recovery and utilization of CMM. Kalidaspur and Ghusick collieries in the Raniganj Coalfield, Murulidih, Amlabad, Sudamdih and Parbatpur mines in the Jharia Coalfield and Jarangdih and Sawang collieries in the East Bokaro Coalfield appear to be favourable sites for CMM recovery. 3. Ventilation Air Methane (VAM): Methane diluted by ventilating air in underground coal mines is vented to the atmosphere and may be captured for its gainful utilization. Our studies have revealed that utilization of VAM at Moonidih Mine of BCCL can lead to a net emission reduction of 0.62 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year. 4. Abandoned Mine Methane (AMM): There has been no effort to quantify the potential of AMM resource in India so far. It is imperative, therefore to initiate a study for evaluation of AMM resource potential in India. Such mechanisms may serve as a valuable instrument to mitigate atmospheric methane emissions to the atmosphere and to find new pathways of clean energy deployment in India. This paper presents an analysis for policy-makers and the stake holders by providing a technological overview for augmenting clean energy resources in India.