PPT Slide
A novel process which currently experiences a broad interest is the injection of CO2 in unmineable coalbeds, thus releasing the trapped methane. This process is called Enhanced Gas Recovery (EGR) or Enhanced CoalBed Methane production (ECBM), and is similar to the popular practice of using CO2 injection to enhance production from oil reservoirs. With EGR, the injected CO2 is adsorbed by the coal and stored in the pore matrix of the coal seams, releasing the trapped methane that can be sold for profit. Future work in the area can lead to the design of efficient null-greenhouse-gas-emmission power plants that are fuelled either by mineable coal or by the methane released from the deep coal reservoirs. In this closed CO2 process, the waste CO2 produced from the coal or methane-powered plants is injected into the CBM reservoirs to produce more methane, and the cycle continuous. In addition, a geological sink is established in the coalbeds, virtually eliminating any release of CO2 to the atmosphere.