How to Capture Gas From a Coal Seam

Coal seam gas or coalbed methane is a form of natural gas that can be extracted from coal beds. The natural gas is absorbed in the vast surface area of the coal particles. One advantage over natural gas pockets is that coal seam gas does not have hydrogen sulfide, which is a toxic contaminant. Removal of coal seam gas is done by pumping high pressure water into the coal bed, desorbing the methane from the coal and allowing the gas to volatilize out of the water and into a compressor line.

Instructions

1. • 1

     Drill a hole into the coal bed and encase the hole in perforated steel. The hole should be approximately 300 to 5,000 feet deep.

   • 2

     Pump water into the hole and back out. This will cause the trapped gas to migrate into the perforated section of the pipe and out to the wellhead. The reduction in pressure allows this action to occur.

   • 3

     Collect the gas with a compressor at the outlet of the wellhead and store in a safe location.