Open AccessLow carbon renewable natural gas production from coalbeds and implications for carbon capture and storage
Author(s) -
Zaixing Huang,
Christine Sednek,
Michael A. Urynowicz,
Hongguang Guo,
Qiurong Wang,
Paul H. Fallgren,
Song Jin,
Yan Jin,
Uche Igwe,
Shengpin Li
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
nature communications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.559
H-Index - 365
ISSN - 2041-1723
DOI - 10.1038/s41467-017-00611-7
Subject(s) - natural gas , renewable energy , carbon fibers , carbon capture and storage (timeline) , production (economics) , environmental science , natural gas storage , carbon sequestration , greenhouse gas , carbon dioxide , materials science , waste management , climate change , ecology , biology , engineering , composite number , composite material , macroeconomics , economics
Isotopic studies have shown that many of the world’s coalbed natural gas plays are secondary biogenic in origin, suggesting a potential for gas regeneration through enhanced microbial activities. The generation of biogas through biostimulation and bioaugmentation is limited to the bioavailability of coal-derived compounds and is considered carbon positive. Here we show that plant-derived carbohydrates can be used as alternative substrates for gas generation by the indigenous coal seam microorganisms. The results suggest that coalbeds can act as natural geobioreactors to produce low carbon renewable natural gas, which can be considered carbon neutral, or perhaps even carbon negative depending on the amount of carbon sequestered within the coal. In addition, coal bioavailability is no longer a limiting factor. This approach has the potential of bridging the gap between fossil fuels and renewable energy by utilizing existing coalbed natural gas infrastructure to produce low carbon renewable natural gas and reducing global warming.