GreenFuel –  A group of second-year Chemical Engineering students at IIT-ISM Dhanbad has developed a new method to convert coal bed methane, a potent greenhouse gas released during coal mining, into a cleaner automotive fuel. The innovation, which can be used directly in CNG vehicles without engine modifications, is being viewed as a promising step toward reducing emissions from mining operations and road transport.

Student-Led Innovation at IIT-ISM

The project was led by students Kailash Krishna, Nitin Gaur and Devashish Das under the supervision of Assistant Professor Ejaz Ahmed from the Department of Chemical Engineering. Professor Alok Das from the Mechanical Engineering Department also contributed to the research.

The team has named the fuel Hydrogen Enriched Coal Bed Methane (H-CBM). To demonstrate its practical use, the students successfully developed and tested a car powered by the newly processed fuel.

Coal bed methane is naturally released during coal extraction. Scientists consider it significantly more harmful to the atmosphere than carbon dioxide, with a global warming impact estimated to be around 25 times higher. Large volumes of this gas escape into the air from mining regions, including Dhanbad, contributing to climate change.

Converting Waste Gas Into Usable Energy

According to Professor Ahmed, the core idea behind the project was to utilize a waste gas that would otherwise pollute the environment. Instead of allowing methane to disperse into the atmosphere, the team focused on capturing and refining it for productive use.

Coal bed methane contains impurities such as sulphur along with methane. The researchers first purify the gas to obtain methane. A portion of this methane then undergoes a controlled cracking process, producing hydrogen and carbon nanotubes. The remaining methane is blended with the generated hydrogen, resulting in hydrogen-enriched coal bed methane.

This blended fuel can be used directly in standard CNG vehicles without mechanical changes, making the transition simpler and more practical for existing car owners.

Valuable Byproduct Reduces Production Costs

An important aspect of the project is the production of carbon nanotubes during the hydrogen extraction process. Carbon nanotubes are known for their exceptional strength and durability and are used in high-performance materials, including bullet-resistant gear and industrial applications such as steel manufacturing.

Their market value can reach up to Rs 500,000 per kilogram. Because these high-value nanotubes are generated alongside hydrogen, the effective production cost of hydrogen becomes significantly lower, making the fuel economically attractive as well as environmentally responsible.

Environmental Significance of Methane Capture

Methane emissions from coal mines are a major environmental concern. When released directly into the atmosphere, methane intensifies global warming at a much faster rate than carbon dioxide. Professor Ahmed explained that capturing just one kilogram of coal bed methane can have the same climate benefit as preventing the release of 25 kilograms of carbon dioxide.

This makes methane capture a critical strategy in sustainable mining practices. By converting the gas into usable fuel, the project not only prevents harmful emissions but also creates a cleaner energy alternative for vehicles.

The initiative could potentially reshape approaches to green mining, especially in coal-producing regions where methane emissions remain high.

Improved Efficiency Compared to Conventional Fuels

Student researcher Devashish Das noted that while CNG vehicles already emit less carbon dioxide than petrol or diesel vehicles, they do not eliminate emissions entirely. The newly developed hydrogen-enriched fuel offers additional advantages.

Hydrogen has a higher calorific value compared to conventional CNG, which means vehicles may achieve improved fuel efficiency. At the same time, using methane that would otherwise escape into the atmosphere addresses a significant environmental challenge.

By combining emission reduction with enhanced performance, the IIT-ISM team’s innovation presents a balanced approach to cleaner transportation and responsible resource management. If adopted at scale, the technology could contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from both mining operations and the automotive sector.