Methanogen consortium metabolism characteristic analysis of Illinois basin by real time monitor method

By means of secondary biogenic gas generation, Microbially Enhance Coalbed Methane (MECoM) technology is used to improve methane content in coalbed. Methanogen consortium metabolism process is the basic avenue for MECoM to yield methane with some organic compounds in coal. Detailed information about the metabolism process is needed in studying the microbial consortium mechanism. Traditional gas analysis is limited by gas source and test complexity. The real time monitor with Infrared gas sensor breaks the gas analysis limitation. It shows much more detailed information than the traditional analysis method. The information include microbial growth factor changes, reaction speed for environment changes, detailed relationship between methane and carbon dioxide, methane yield and consumption factor by real time as well. With these factors, MECoM can be evaluated and controlled much better. Experiments show that inhibitive and incentive effect will influence the whole organic material conversion to methane period. Not until microbial community achieves balance condition, can methane generation get stable condition.