SBIR Phase I: Catalyst for the Oxidation of Methane in Coal Mine Ventilation Air

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project seeks to develop a novel high temperature catalyst for the oxidation of methane present in coal mine ventilation air. Referred to as ventilation air methane (VAM), VAM emissions contain between 0.2% and 1.2% CH4 plus ppm levels of sulfur gases (H2S, SO2 and COS). While the sulfur levels are low, these levels are sufficient to rapidly deactivate traditional oxidation catalysts employed in the control of CH4 emissions. In order to be successful, the catalyst must be operated at high temperatures in order to avoid the formation of palladium sulfates, plus employ a catalyst support material that is able to maintain its integrity in the high temperature environment in the presence of water vapor and sulfur gases. This project seeks to use a patented high temperature (700