Catalysts for the utilization of methane from the coal mine ventilation air

The paper indicates coal mines as the source of permanent emission of low-concentrated gases, which have increased the greenhouse effect. This paper proposes the catalytic oxidation of methane as the solution to the problem of methane utilization when its concentration in the air is insufficient for flame combustion. The studies which have been conducted for many years enabled finding the active oxide and metallic catalytic systems for the reaction of methane oxidation. For the utilization of gases with low-concentrated methane, using the low-temperature catalysts, especially palladium catalysts, seems to be economically well-justified. Depending on technological solutions it can be considered as the method for methane utilization or as an environmentally friendly way for the generation of electric and thermal energy.