Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Kenmore, Queensland 4069, Australia.
J Hazard Mater. 2009 Dec 30;172(2-3):1505-11. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2009.08.020. Epub 2009 Aug 12.
Coal mine methane (CMM) is not only a hazardous greenhouse gas but is also a wasted energy resource, if not utilised. This paper evaluates a novel adsorbent material developed for capturing methane from ventilation air methane (VAM) gas in underground coal mines. The adsorbent material is a honeycomb monolithic carbon fibre composite (HMCFC) consisting of multiple parallel flow-through channels and the material exhibits unique features including low pressure drop, good mechanical properties, ability to handle dust-containing gas streams, good thermal and electrical conductivity and selective adsorption of gases. During this study, a series of HMCFC adsorbents (using different types of carbon fibres) were successfully fabricated. Experimental data demonstrated the proof-of-concept of using the HMCFC adsorbent to capture methane from VAM gas. The adsorption capacity of the HMCFC adsorbent was twice that of commercial activated carbon. Methane concentration of 0.56% in the inlet VAM gas stream is reduced to about 0.011% after it passes through the novel carbon fibre composite adsorbent material at ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure. This amounts to a maximum capture efficiency of 98%. These encouraging laboratory scale studies have prompted further large scale trials and economic assessment.
煤矿瓦斯（CMM）不仅是一种危险的温室气体，如果不加以利用，也是一种浪费的能源资源。本文评估了一种用于从地下煤矿通风空气中甲烷（VAM）气体中捕获甲烷的新型吸附材料。该吸附材料是一种由多个平行流道组成的蜂窝状整体碳纤维复合材料（HMCFC），具有独特的特点，包括低压降、良好的机械性能、能够处理含尘气流、良好的热和导电性以及气体的选择性吸附。在这项研究中，成功制备了一系列 HMCFC 吸附剂（使用不同类型的碳纤维）。实验数据证明了使用 HMCFC 吸附剂从 VAM 气体中捕获甲烷的概念验证。HMCFC 吸附剂的吸附容量是商业活性炭的两倍。当入口 VAM 气流中的甲烷浓度从 0.56%降低到 0.011%左右时，在环境温度和大气压下通过新型碳纤维复合材料吸附剂材料。这相当于最大捕获效率为 98%。这些令人鼓舞的实验室规模研究促使进一步进行大规模试验和经济评估。
