BIOLOGICAL PRODUCTION OF METHANE FROM BITUMINOUS COAL

Biogasification of coal offers significant economic and environmental benefits for the continued utilization of coal resources. Several cons ortia from various natural sources associated with coal have been show n to produce methane from media containing only coal as the organic ca rbon source. Methane production of these samples has continued to incr ease with time. The cultures have remained viable and have continued t o produce methane after 5 successive transfers to media containing coa l as the sole carbon source. Methane quantities of 4 and 5 volume perc ent methane (0.03 and 0.04 mmol per tube) have been observed from Pitt sburgh and Wyodak coals. Serum tube experiments were scaled to larger column experiments that also indicated that methane is produced from m edium containing coal as the only carbon source.