Experimental study and correlation analysis on thermal storage oxidation of ventilation air methane mixed with pulverized coal

Abstract

The recovery and utilization of ventilation air methane (VAM) are critical for advancing green, low-carbon and sustainable development. This study aims to address the challenge associated with the low concentration of VAM, which hampers its effective utilization. A self-constructed experimental system was employed in which VAM was blended with pulverized coal for thermal storage and oxidation. This system was used to evaluate the effects of key process parameters, including initial temperature, concentration, and flow rate. The results indicate that the blending of pulverized coal significantly increases the VAM conversion rate and extends the duration of stable conversion. However, while the stabilization time of the regenerative reaction was prolonged, an increase in flow rate had the opposite effect. Furthermore, the VAM conversion rate exhibited a positive correlation with the self-sustaining stable time of the reaction, with initial temperature showing the strongest influence on the conversion rate. This study provides valuable insights into the thermal oxidation and storage of VAM doped with pulverized coal, offering a clear path forward for the large-scale utilization of VAM for thermal storage.