The MEMO Project

Methane Monitoring of Abandoned Coal Mines

Funded by the Research Fund for Coal and Steel (RFCS)

The MEMO project addresses significant challenges in quantifying and managing methane emissions from abandoned coal mines within the EU. Methodology for inventorying these emissions remains undeveloped. A critical issue includes adhering to the EU emission thresholds, requiring continuous data collection, which challenges existing methane and flow sensors, particularly aerial technologies.

MEMO aims to create robust methodologies applicable across EU countries to accurately inventory methane emissions. This involves classifying abandoned mines on methane emission susceptibility, defining methods using emission factor estimations tailored to EU needs, and evaluating the feasibility of accurately measuring methane flux down to 0.5 t/year.

Project Number: 101216769

Project Acronym: MEMO

Topic: RFCS-2024-01-RPJ

Type of Action: RFCS Project Grands

Granting Authority: European Research Executive Agency

Project duration: 01.09.2025 - 28.02.2029

The project's goals include establishing a reliable method for creating methane inventories, categorizing abandoned mines based on emission potential, developing a quantification approach using emission factors, and assessing methane measurement techniques. MEMO aims to evaluate suitable sensors and data collection networks for methane measurement and validate the developed methodology.

The project is structured into four technical work packages (WP). WP 1 focuses on project management, while WP 2 establishes methods for methane inventory development, classifying emissive mining components, and estimating emissions using emission factors. WP 3 evaluates measurement techniques, develops reliable sensors if needed, and categorizes EU mining configurations for unified monitoring. WP 4 applies the methodology to case studies, testing its feasibility and comparing estimated emissions with field measurements. Finally, WP 5 synthesizes conclusions and disseminates findings, producing a technical guide aligned with EU regulations.

By integrating experimental, numerical, and field research, MEMO aims to develop and validate a comprehensive methane monitoring framework that improves measurement precision and supports EU regulatory compliance.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.