VAM utilisation

Ventilation Air Methane has a very low methane concentration. Thus it is very difficult to use or to utilize. VAM contains the biggest amount of methane which is released by coal mines, but up to now there are no big scale technologies for its destruction or utilisation. However, currently a lot of research activities have been executed regarding thermal oxidation as a new technology to utilise VAM. Some demonstration projects are running or will be started in the future.

Especially in the frame of JI projects it is a very interesting project activity for generation of emission reduction units by restructure of VAM. Moreover, the methane is released in the vicinity of the ventilation shaft. This location is expected to have a long life time. So installed plants do not have to be moved, if the digging area changes in the underground.