Caterpillar Inc says Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa SA (JSW), the largest producer of high-quality hard coking coal in the European Union, has selected Cat dealer Eneria Poland to supply an integrated cogeneration system at its Knurów-Szczygłowice coal mine in southern Poland.
Commissioned in June, the system uses coal mine methane (CMM) to produce up to 12 MW of power and 12 MW of thermal energy. The electricity is used to supply power for conveyors, compressors, coal processing, mine ventilation systems, and other operations, Cat says. The captured thermal energy is processed through heat exchangers to maintain the proper temperature in the mining workspace.
Designed, installed and commissioned by Eneria Poland, the system is anchored by three Cat CG260-16 generator sets capable of operating on gas from the mine with methane content ranging from 40-70%. Eneria Poland will also provide ongoing support for the system through a three-year customer value agreement, according to Cat.
Andrzej Szymała, Chief Investment Engineer at the Knurów-Szczygłowice mine, said: “Safeguarding the health of our employees and minimising the environmental impact of our operations on neighbouring communities are key pillars of our corporate social responsibility strategy.
“The cogeneration system designed by Eneria Poland for the Knurów-Szczygłowice mine will reduce methane emissions and improve the safety and comfort of our employees’ working environment while providing electricity and heat through innovations that improve our bottom line.”
The cogeneration system at the Knurów-Szczygłowice mine is the latest in a series of initiatives by JSW to improve its environmental footprint. The coal miner is currently building a facility to convert by-products of the coking process into critical industrial materials, including lightweight, durable carbon fibres, carbon adsorbents for purifying liquids and gases, and carbon nanostructures used in lithium-ion batteries and numerous other applications, according to Cat.
JSW employs other equipment supplied by Caterpillar in its operations, including Cat plow systems for longwall mining at its Borynia-Zofiówka and Pniówek mines.
Sven Buehler, Territory Manager for Gas Product Sales at Caterpillar, said: “JSW has made a demonstrated commitment to sustainability that has delivered tremendously positive results for the communities where it operates as well as its employees. The system will support the expansion of JSW’s environmental initiatives and further improve the quality of life for its many stakeholders.”
Caterpillar and its dealer network offer power systems for mines ranging from the largest surface and underground operations down to the smallest quarries, it says. The solutions are engineered to keep operations running reliably and efficiently while protecting the safety of crew members.