Three world-class CMM utilization projects in Duerping, Malan and Tunlan coal mines in Taiyuan [Photo/Shanxi Coking Coal Xishan Coal Electricity Group]

The coal mine methane (CMM) control and utilization concept of a company based in North China's Shanxi province was recently recognized by the United Nations (UN) and promoted globally.

Shanxi Coking Coal Xishan Coal Electricity Group, based in the provincial capital of Taiyuan, was invited to introduce its "556" CMM management concept and successful practices in CMM risk reduction at the 17th annual session of the Group of Experts on Coal Mine Methane and Just Transition organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe on March 21 and 22 in Geneva and online.

The "556" model proposed by Xishan Coal Electricity refers to five work systems, five technologies, and six equipment applications related to CMM management and utilization.

The company adheres to the concept of "emissions reduction, promoting extraction, and ensuring extraction safety" and ensures the high-quality construction and efficient operation of CMM utilization projects.

Since 2007, Xishan Coal Electricity has carried out cooperation with Sindicatum Sustainable Resources in the United Kingdom, introducing foreign capital, technology and equipment to develop three world-class CMM utilization projects in Duerping, Malan and Tunlan coal mines in Taiyuan.

The power generation volume, CMM consumption and power generation efficiency of the three projects are among the highest in China, and the power generation has steadily increased and remained at around 210 million kWh annually. 

The three projects have been included among the Best Practical Guidance for Effective Methane Drainage and Use in Coal Mines released by UN, which is a practical standard for global gas extraction and use.

Xishan Coal Electricity is now carrying out research on emissions reduction scenarios and a low-carbon development path to realize its low-carbon guarantee of CMM utilization in its 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25).

Over the five-year period, the company will apply for the establishment of an integrated gas extraction and comprehensive utilization center in Shanxi along with domestic universities engaged in the sector.

It has promised that by the end of 2025, annual CMM utilization will exceed 170 million cubic meters, the high-concentration CMM utilization rate will exceed 85 percent, the installed capacity of CMM power generation will reach 85 megawatts, and the annual power generation capacity will be about 500 million kWh, reaching the global frontier.