Accelerating Methane Production in Reaction between Methanogen Bacteria and Coal: A Pilot Project for Optimizing Biologically Enhanced Coal Bed Methane

Coal Bed Methane, methane generated by coalification process and stored in coal, is one of the most promising future of oil and gas exploration. Indonesia has a huge potential of CBM that estimated to be 453 TCF, which is almost equal with the overall natural gas potential in Indonesia today (Directorate General of Oil and Gas of Indonesia, 2011). The production of CBM is actually can be optimized by using methanogen bacteria from cow rumen, as studied by Savitry, 2010. According to Savitry, the reaction of methanogen with High Volatile Bituminous, Low-Volatile Bituminous, Semi-Anthracite, Sub-Bituminous B & C type, resulted in finding that the most productive sample in terms of methane generation is High Volatile Bituminous. Also, it was concluded that the free hydrogen gas is the main material for methanogen to finally produce methane. This research is conducted to find ways to accelerate the production of methane in previous research, especially in the pH parameter. Furthermore, we examine a wider range of coal type, from the lowest to highest grade. The method used in this research is a laboratory research in which under controlled conditions of pH and coal type. The methanogen bacteria and dry coal will be reacted. From this research, it can be concluded that the sample with lower pH (but not too low) is the best condition to produce methane. This is caused by the optimal condition for bacteria to do metabolism is fulfilled by the lower pH. Also, higher grade coals react more effectively with methanogen bacteria. This fact related with the higher availability of free hydrogen gas in higher grade coals.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90142 © 2012 AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition, April 22-25, 2012, Long Beach, California