Coal mining methane fired gas engine for China is adopted in NEDO model project

Coal mining methane fired power generation equipment for China which uses the MACH gas engine of MHI was adopted in October 2007 for the Model Project for a High-Efficiency Gas Engine Utilizing CMM/VAM* of the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). The program will install one 3,500kW (12MACH-30G) gas engine at the Laohutai Mine of the Fushun Mining Group Co., Ltd. in Liaoning province, China. The program will begin in fiscal year 2007, with completion planned for fiscal year 2009.

Methane gas which is released along with coal production is a cause of coal mine disasters, and has 21 times the greenhouse effect of carbon dioxide when released into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming. In China, coal production has increased along with economic growth in recent years. Processing of coal methane gas is becoming an issue from the aspects of disaster prevention and as a global warming countermeasure. The Chinese government has hammered out a policy to promote recovery and use of coal mining methane gas, from the perspectives of disaster and global warming countermeasures, in addition to the aspect of its use as a substitute resource for natural gas.

In this environment, use of small coal mine methane fired gas engines has already begun to increase in China. But those engines have low power generating efficiency, and lack reliability, so they are not actually being utilized sufficiently. Since the first MACH gas engine of MHI was placed in operation in 2002, orders have been received for over 150 engines. It is well regarded for its highly efficient power generation and stable operation in the field. MHI hopes that this model project is an opportunity for wider use in China of the highly efficient and reliable MACH gas engine, contributing to global environmental measures and friendship between China and Japan.