Efficient carbon sequestration techniques require significant research and development. Alpha has partnerships for driving research into new techniques to reduce the impact of mining on the environment.
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a promising new technology to mitigating the contribution of fossil fuel emissions to global warming, based on capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from large point sources such as fossil fuel power plants. Unminable coal seams can be used to store CO2 because CO2 adsorbs to the surface of coal. However, the technical feasibility depends on the permeability of the coal bed. In the process of absorption the coal releases previously absorbed methane, and the methane can be recovered . The sale of the methane can be used to offset a portion of the cost of the CO2 storage. Alpha has partnered with Virginia Tech, Marshall Miller and Assoc and other companies in assisting with a research project for Carbon Sequestration. The project is in Virginia’s Russell County and is aimed at developing technology capable of capturing and storing Carbon Dioxide(CO2). Phase I of this project was completed successfully and Phase II is in progress. Phase II involves injecting CO2 in a coal bed methane well provided by CNX. The successful completion of this project will provide much needed data to prove that Carbon Sequestration is a viable technique for preventing the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
