Margarita Q Castro

US Patent:

20120255725, Oct 11, 2012

Filed:

Apr 9, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/442430

Inventors:

Joseph Suflita - Norman OK, US
Mark Nanny - Norman OK, US
Margarita Mendivelso Castro - Traverse City MI, US
Jan Sunner - Norman OK, US

International Classification:

E21B 43/22

US Classification:

166246

Abstract:

The present invention provides methods for stimulating or enhancing the conversion of coal to methane. The methods of the current invention subject coal to an oxidation step, for example ozonolysis, thereby converting at least a portion of the coal to partially-oxidized and water-soluble forms of organic matter. Subsequent contact of the oxidized coal components with a suitable inoculum containing a methanogenic microbial community produces methane.