Print this pageAbstract: Mineral-Catalyzed Formation Of Natural Gas During Coal Maturation
BUTALA, S.J., J.C. MEDINA, M.L. LEE, S.A. FELT, T.Q. TAYLOR, D.B. ANDRUS, and C. H. BARTHOLOMEW, Brigham Young University; P. YIN and R.C. SURDAM, University of Wyoming
Summary
Current models used in geological exploration of coal bed methane are unsatisfactory. Kinetic calculations show that thermolysis of organic matter to natural gas is too slow to account for today's large reserves. New models propose that minerals located in some coal beds could be methane-producing catalysts. A comprehensive literature study was compiled. It was determined from kinetic data that mineral catalysis by transition metals is a probable method for methane formation in coal seam reservoirs. This was confirmed with data collected by hydrogenating carbon dioxide and 1-dodecene over iron catalysts at near geologic conditions.
AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90937©1998 AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition, Salt Lake City, Utah