Aims of ProVAM project

ProVAM research and development project aim is to investigate four major obstacles i.e. : dust load, humidity, variable air and methane flows, which create unfavourable conditions for efficient implementation of VAM utilisation technologies in underground coal mines. Efforts to reduce ventilation air methane emissions in the transformation of coal mining in Europe's underground coal mines can be effectively carried out if the four obstacles mentioned above are adequately addressed.

As the VAM units are considered to be very expensive equipment and methane gas contained in the VAM is very explosive-one the R&D approach was applied to test the impact of four above mentioned obstacles on efficient work of VAM unit. Numerical modelling and simulations of installations in mines operation will help to reach the goal, and the real coal mine data as an input will allow validation of the models. The expected results after all laboratory and in-situ tests will help to achieve an optimal input VAM parameters considering dust load, humidity, variable air and methane flows, to be able to maximise methane contained in VAM destruction.

Even partial destruction of VAM emissions will result in tremendous environmental effects making the objectives of Global Methane Pledge for mining sector realistic to achieve. Preliminary economic assessment of ProVAM looks promising enough to draw coal mines’ attention.

ProVAM project results can be disseminated in all remaining EU coal mines and globally, which is the intention of project consortium.