The opportunity
CSIRO, within its Mineral Resources Research Unit has developed CataVAM, a novel catalytic oxidation technology which mitigates the fugitive emission of methane into the atmosphere via ventilation air from underground mine workings.
Ventilation air methane (VAM) generates a significant proportion of the fugitive emissions from coal mining, contributing up to 15 percent of Australia's total methane emissions.
VAM abatement is technically challenging due to high air flow rates, low and varied methane levels and the presence of moisture and dust.
Industry demand has been demonstrated for effective VAM mitigation systems to satisfy emerging regulatory requirements, generating both substantial market pull and the desire to support the R&D of new technology.
CSIRO has attracted substantial funding for CataVAM development from Government and Industry funding bodies and has collaborated with a major coal mining company in conducting successful pilot-scale on-site demonstration programs.
CataVAM offers a new approach to the destruction of VAM. Compared to competitive systems, it can operate effectively in much lower methane concentrations, has a smaller footprint, allows for a higher VA throughput, requires less energy to operate, and has a lower operating temperature offering benefits in safety management. Consequently, there is an attractive commercial opportunity to license and market this sought-after technology.
The product
CataVAM utilises a catalytic-conversion approach to improve on and overcome many of the disadvantages of regenerative thermal oxidiser (RTO) VAM abatement systems.
CataVAM employs a CSIRO-patented novel honeycomb catalyst bed structure which delivers efficient heat control and oxidation reactions, resulting in significantly enhanced methane conversion performance.
The system is currently undergoing trials at an Australian mine site which are due for completion in December 2025 and will demonstrate TRL 7 performance.
The commercialisation partnership
We are seeking a partner entity to lead further development of the technology to commercially available (TRL 9) status with technical input from CSIRO where appropriate.
A successful outcome of this process will result in the granting of an exclusive licence to manufacture and market CataVAM with the Australian market to be addressed first, following initial commercial-scale unit implementation at an Australian mine site.
If a single company does not have the capability or capacity to provide the complete solution, we are open to identifying and partnering with a consortium of companies to ensure that all the technical, safety standards compliance and commercial input required for successful product development and delivery will be available.
The next stage in this process will be a formal request for expressions of interest (EOI) which will provide more details about this new technology and the proposed development pathway.
For further information and to register interest in receiving an EOI when available please contact Sarah Cleary.
The opportunity
CSIRO, within its Mineral Resources Research Unit has developed CataVAM, a novel catalytic oxidation technology which mitigates the fugitive emission of methane into the atmosphere via ventilation air from underground mine workings.
Ventilation air methane (VAM) generates a significant proportion of the fugitive emissions from coal mining, contributing up to 15 percent of Australia's total methane emissions.
VAM abatement is technically challenging due to high air flow rates, low and varied methane levels and the presence of moisture and dust.
Industry demand has been demonstrated for effective VAM mitigation systems to satisfy emerging regulatory requirements, generating both substantial market pull and the desire to support the R&D of new technology.
CSIRO has attracted substantial funding for CataVAM development from Government and Industry funding bodies and has collaborated with a major coal mining company in conducting successful pilot-scale on-site demonstration programs.
CataVAM offers a new approach to the destruction of VAM. Compared to competitive systems, it can operate effectively in much lower methane concentrations, has a smaller footprint, allows for a higher VA throughput, requires less energy to operate, and has a lower operating temperature offering benefits in safety management. Consequently, there is an attractive commercial opportunity to license and market this sought-after technology.
The product
CataVAM utilises a catalytic-conversion approach to improve on and overcome many of the disadvantages of regenerative thermal oxidiser (RTO) VAM abatement systems.
CataVAM employs a CSIRO-patented novel honeycomb catalyst bed structure which delivers efficient heat control and oxidation reactions, resulting in significantly enhanced methane conversion performance.
The system is currently undergoing trials at an Australian mine site which are due for completion in December 2025 and will demonstrate TRL 7 performance.
The commercialisation partnership
We are seeking a partner entity to lead further development of the technology to commercially available (TRL 9) status with technical input from CSIRO where appropriate.
A successful outcome of this process will result in the granting of an exclusive licence to manufacture and market CataVAM with the Australian market to be addressed first, following initial commercial-scale unit implementation at an Australian mine site.
If a single company does not have the capability or capacity to provide the complete solution, we are open to identifying and partnering with a consortium of companies to ensure that all the technical, safety standards compliance and commercial input required for successful product development and delivery will be available.
The next stage in this process will be a formal request for expressions of interest (EOI) which will provide more details about this new technology and the proposed development pathway.
For further information and to register interest in receiving an EOI when available please contact Sarah Cleary.