METAN Z KOPALŃ WĘGLA KAMIENNEGO JAKO ZAGROŻENIE GÓRNICZE I ŹRÓDŁO ENERGII

The article discusses the influence of methane emitted into the atmosphere on the greenhouse effect. The analysis of the literature in this field shows that the size of this impact is not clearly defined. However, counteracting the outflow of methane from coal mines into the atmosphere is very justified, both due to the greenhouse effect and the possibility of using methane for the production of heat and electricity. Monthly measurement data from a period of twenty-seven years was used to present the problems related to methane drainage from mines. It was found that despite the closure of many mines, the emitted amount of methane tends to increase slightly. Based on the measurement data from one of the mines, it was found that fluctuations in the amount of methane captured by the methane drainage system may be very significant, which increases the costs of methane management. A method of better use of mine methane as a source of electricity and heat production has been proposed.