Feasibility study of decomposing methane with hydroxyl radicals

Coal-mine gas disaster is one of the most serious coal-mine disasters in China. The main component of coal-mine gas, methane is chemically stable and very difficult to be degraded by conventional methods. Hydroxyl radical (OH), due to strong oxidizing ability and high electro-negativity, is the primary degradation source of atmospheric methane. In the present study, methane degradation using hydroxyl radicals generated by Fenton’s reagent, Fe2+/H2O2, has been carried out in the self-designed bubbling reactor. The effects of H2O2 concentration, dosage of FeSO4·7H2O and initial pH value on methane removal efficiency were investigated respectively. It has been found that the optimal reaction conditions were 100 mM of hydrogen peroxide, 2.00 mM of ferrous ion and initial pH value of 2.5. Under optimal conditions, the removal efficiency of methane reached 25% after 30 min. The preliminary experimental results unambiguously demonstrate that the degradation of methane using hydroxyl radicals generated by Fenton’s reagent is feasible.

► In coal-mine gas, methane is stable and difficult to be degraded by common methods.
► Methane degradation using hydroxyl radicals was conducted in the bubbling reactor.
► The primary factors, which would influence the methane removal, were investigated.
► The removal efficiency of methane reached 25% under the optimal conditions.
► The results show methane degradation via hydroxyl radical oxidation is feasible.