Assessing ventilation air methane (VAM) mitigation and utilization opportunities: A case study at Kozlu Mine, Turkey

Ventilation air methane (VAM) emissions from underground coal mines have become important in the mining community worldwide recently since they constitute the major part of greenhouse gas emissions from coal mining and are a so-called wasted resource. As demonstrated in important coal producers such as the United States, China, Australia and the United Kingdom, it has become possible to use methane in ventilation air to generate energy. However, there has been no study concerning the feasibility of application of VAM technologies in Turkey. This study was, therefore, conducted to evaluate the applicability of VAM mitigation and utilization options for an underground coal mine in Turkey. The Kozlu mine, owned by the Turkish Hardcoal Enterprises (TTK) was chosen for the study since it is known that the mine has gassy coal seams and high coal production. The paper analyzes the data from a computerized continuous monitoring system and from manual readings to quantify VAM emission characteristics of the mine. In addition to a technical assessment, a detailed preliminary economic analysis was performed for the technology alternatives proposed for the mine. The technical and economic analyses revealed that any of the technologies for VAM mitigation/utilization could be used for the mine but economically there must be a carbon credit of 19.8 US$/ tCO2e or more to provide incentive for using the technology. This requires that a legislative framework be put in place in Turkey.

► Ventilation Air Methane (VAM) emissions of Kozlu mine (Turkey) were quantified.
► Technical/economic analyses were done for VAM mitigation/utilization alternatives.
► VAM options were found profitable only with carbon credit of 19.8 US$/tCO2e or over.
► VAM mitigation/utilization have to be promoted by the Turkish government.
► Feed-in-tariffs and tax exemptions should be offered for such projects in Turkey.