World’s Largest Coal Mine Ventilation Methane Emissions Abatement System to be Built in China

MEGTEC Systems (USA) announce that its China subsidiary has been contracted to build the largest plant in the world to capture and eliminate ventilation air methane (VAM) from the Datong coal mine in China’s Chongqing municipality. The agreement was formally signed between MEGTEC and a three-way joint venture partnership comprised of AES Climate Solutions Asia (a wholly-owned subsidiary of AES Corporation), Shenzhen Dongjiang Environmental Renewable Power Company Ltd., and Songzao Coal and Chongqing Electricity Company Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chongqing Energy Investment Group.

“Over the years, extensive pilot testing in the field along with our in-house research and development work, have given us considerable insight into the special process and technology considerations for applying oxidation technology to VAM applications.”

Plans call for the Datong mine VAM system to be operational later this year. It will utilize MEGTEC’s proven VOCSIDIZER® technology to eliminate about 97 percent of the methane within the captured exhaust stream before it enters the atmosphere. The system is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 200,000 tons of CO2 equivalent per year. In addition, energy released in the process will be used to heat water for nearby buildings.

“Finalizing the agreement for construction of this VAM system clears the way for what truly is a breakthrough project on several levels,” said Mohit Uberoi, MEGTEC President & CEO. “It is by far the largest VAM emission control system anywhere in the world, with six of our VOCSIDIZER units and a capacity of 375,000 Nm3/h (normal cubic meters per hour) of ventilation air.

“This project is an example of technology-based proven solutions for control of greenhouse gas emissions and will set the benchmark for future projects in China and other regions of the world,” Uberoi continued, noting that China is rapidly developing its vast coal resources.