Technology

Canadian scientists are reported to have devised a way of cutting methane emissions from coal mines, generating electricity as a byproduct.

Methane is 21 times more potent as a greenhouse gas than CO2. Eight per cent of annual methane emissions worldwide comes from coal mines.

The system burns methane and air using a catalyst to produce CO2 and water inside a cylindrical reactor vessel. The problem of maintaining uniform temperature inside the system was solved by reversing the air flow every half hour. The reaction produces constant heat at 800°C. About 75 per cent of the produced heat can be recovered, and used to drive a steam turbine.