Montreal, Canada, April 13, 2009 – Biothermica today announced that its pioneering VAMOX™ coal mine methane (CMM) abatement system is fully operational at Jim Walter Resources’ mine no. 4 in Brookwood, Alabama. For the first time in America, ventilation air methane (VAM) is being destroyed at an active coal mine, all the while generating bankable carbon credits.
Approved by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA), the demonstration system oxidized methane for the first time as originally planned on January 26, 2009. Capturing 30,000 ft³/min of mine ventilation air, this medium-size unit will achieve greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions amounting to some 40,000 tons of CO2 equivalent each year, the same as removing 8,000 cars from the road.
“We are extremely satisfied with the performance and reliability of our system after only a few weeks of operation” said Nicolas Duplessis, Director of VAMOX™ Development. Guy Drouin, President of Biothermica, added: “Mine ventilation air accounts for 50 to 70% of all CMM emissions and the VAMOX™ can certainly play a significant role in helping the coal mining industry minimize its environmental impact. Building on the success of our venture in Alabama, we plan to develop similar projects in close partnership with other U.S. mines.”
Well established as a successful carbon project developer, Biothermica always seeks to generate high quality carbon credits. For this reason, the project is fully validated in accordance with the Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS) and is one of the first to be listed on the new APX VCS Registry. More information regarding this initiative can be found at www.vcsregistry.com
“Once again, Jim Walter Resources leads the industry by implementing a new technology that captures and utilizes methane to achieve a cleaner coal production” said Thomas E. McNider, General Manager of Mining Engineering. “The VAMOX™ is a simple solution since it requires no modification to existing mine equipments and remains independent from our ventilation system.”
Using the proven principle of regenerative thermal oxidation (RTO), the VAMOX™ captures and mitigates VAM emissions before this potent GHG is released to the atmosphere. Strong of its 15 year expertise with RTO, Biothermica developed the VAMOX™ to offer coal mines a safe, simple and profitable solution to significantly decrease their carbon footprint.
About Biothermica
Founded in 1987, Biothermica is a leader in the design, construction and turn-key delivery of air pollution control, landfill gas and coal mine methane solutions. The company is also a fully integrated carbon project developer that finances, structures and takes equity in technically relevant projects. Biothermica has completed projects in North and South America, Asia, Africa and Europe. www.biothermica.com
About Jim Walter Resources
Jim Walter Resources Inc. (JWR) is the world's largest producer of Blue Creek Coal. Known worldwide among coal producers, the Blue Creek Seam is located in the heart of Alabama's coal-rich Warrior Basin (U.S.). JWR provides coal with high BTU and low sulfur content from some of the deepest mines on the North American continent. Customers on five continents have utilized Blue Creek Coal to meet their demanding metallurgical and thermal specifications. www.jimwalterresources.com
About APX
APX is the leading infrastructure provider for environmental and energy markets in renewable energy and greenhouse gases including carbon commodities. The company is the solution of choice for every major renewable energy market in North America and greenhouse gas markets worldwide, including the Gold Standard, the Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS), and the Climate Action Reserve program. www.apx.com
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