Bioconversion of Carbon dioxide to Methane

Bioconversion of Carbon Dioxide to Methane in CBM Wells

Main objective(s) : Feasibility and Demonstration of Biocatalytic and Bioaugmentation Processes for CO₂ Methanation in CBM Wells of Bokaro

Key outcomes/outputs

This project focuses on the development of an innovative approach for in-situ bioconversion of carbon dioxide (CO₂) to methane (CH₄) in Coal Bed Methane (CBM) wells, aimed at enhancing gas quality and recovery. CBM gas typically contains 85–95% methane and 5–15% CO₂, which impacts its calorific value and market usability. The proposed solution leverages hydrogenotrophic methanogenic microorganisms to convert CO₂ into additional methane directly within the reservoir or at the surface interface.

The approach is designed to increase methane concentration to above 97–98%, while potentially improving overall gas recovery by 5–10%. The system integrates advanced real-time monitoring technologies, including gas composition sensors, downhole and surface pressure–temperature monitoring, and SCADA-based digital platforms to ensure process optimization and operational safety.

A key component of the project is the deployment of sensor-based surface infrastructure and intelligent monitoring systems, enabling continuous data acquisition, predictive maintenance, and improved process control. These systems can reduce operational inefficiencies by 15–20% and support scalable deployment across CBM assets.

By converting CO₂ into a valuable energy resource, the project contributes to greenhouse gas reduction, improved resource efficiency, and sustainable CBM operations, aligning with India’s energy transition and low-carbon development goals.