The annual event will be held from September 30 to October 1 at the Millennium Harvest House hotel.
Presentations and case studies will be given on both US and international coal mine methane technological developments and research.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to learn about some recent national policy developments that may affect industry growth, according to organisers.
Following a keynote address on the EPA’s latest activities by the agency’s Dina Kruger, guests will look at the topics of policy and legal updates as well as innovative project developments. Among the first day’s presentations are:
US laws and policies regarding capturing methane gas – Robert Bassett, Holland & Hart,
Analysis of legislation and its impact on CMM project development – Marisa Buchanan, Verdeo Group,
VAMOX: a proven technology for VAM abatement – Nicolas Duplessis, Biothermica,
Energy generation from ventilation air methane – Ken Zak, MEGTEC, and
Western US coal mine methane project update – speaker to be announced.
On October 1, the second and final day of the conference, the primary focus areas will be CMM capture technology, including the latest research in the area, with a number of updates provided on international projects. The schedule includes:
CMM evaluation and production models for control and utilisation – Heather Dougherty and C Özgen Karacan, NIOSH Pittsburgh Laboratory,
Drainage and drilling practices in the United States – Jeff Schwoebel, REI Drilling,
Impact of drainage on ventilation air methane: case study at Cumberland mine – Steve Kravitz, Target Drilling,
CMM project in Songzao coal mines, China – Raymond Pilcher, Raven Ridge Resources,
New developments in China at the Hebi and Liuzhuang mines – Jon Kelafant, Advanced Resources International, and
Optimising methane recovery: case study of the Bulga mine, Australia – Steve Hennings, Norwest.
Registration for the conference is still open and reservations can be made online or by phone by contacting the EPA’s Coalbed Methane Outreach Program.
