Electricity + Control August 2015

LIGHT + CURRENT

Coal mine methane into electric power

Barloworld put the spotlight on the potential of coal mine methane at a customer event in Johannesburg. Sharing the podium with Caterpillar and industry experts, Barloworld Power focused on its capabilities in the gas segment, which is still relatively untapped in southern Africa. Only 2 % of South Africa’s energy demand is cur- rently met by gas. NalenAlwar, Barloworld Power’s business development manager: Gas for southern Africa, says the potential value of harnessing methane from coal beds is significant as South Africa is the sixth largest coal producer in the world with reserves estimated at 30 billion tonnes, half of this mined underground. It is estimated that mining of known reserves will continue for well

could be safely extracted and, following a treatment process, fed into Cat gas generator sets to produce electric and thermal power. “Infra- structural and energy efficiency projects can be undertaken by coal mining companies to generate their own electricity or provide rev- enue earning opportunities as independent power producers (IPPs).” Enquiries: Shivani Naidoo.Tel. 011 323 2683 or email snaidoo@barloworldpower.com Barloworld Power experts sharing the advantages of converting coal mine methane to electric power (from left): Nalen Alwar (business development manager: Gas); Mark Mencel (executive director: Barloworld Power southern Africa); Pravesh Kalyan (project manager); and Steven Moss (product support operations manager).

over 100 years. Methane is a naturally occurring gas formed during the mining of coal. It is highly flammable and hazardous to mining operations, which means that coal seams have to be degassed prior to mining. As a greenhouse gas, methane released into the atmosphere does 20 times more damage than carbon dioxide. This is cause for serious concern as coal mining is still the world’s biggest contribu- tor to feedstock for electrical power generation. Unburnt methane can remain in the atmosphere for nine to 15years. Alwar said greenhouse gas emissions in the USA decreased by more than 20 % between 1994 and 2005 due to increased recovery and utilisation of coal mine methane. Alwar explained that methane

Reliable sewage submersible pumps LEO’s XSP range of single-phase sewage submersible pumps is designed for wastewater drainage in factories, construction sites and commercial facilities.The pumps are also ideal for drainage systems inmunicipal treatment plants as well as inmethane pools and for field irrigation. The XSP range is reliable, durable, economical and effectively transfers liquids with solids of up to 15 mm as well as long fi- bres. With the distinct design of the wetted parts, the pump has

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a wide flow range with a total head (non-overload) feature. The XSP is anti-corrosive as it is constructed from stainless steel and special cast iron material. Complete drainage is achieved due to the bottom suction structure and its large channel helps to prevent the impeller from clogging. A float switch automatically turns the pump on/off according to the change in the liquid level. In addition, a protector in the motor automatically shuts off the pump in case of over- heating or over-current, thus ensuring safety and reliability in unfavourable environments. LEO is represented locally by Raptech . Enquiries: Carl Mulock.Tel. 011 693 5110 or email enquiries@raptech.co.za

Electricity+Control August ‘15

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