"Basic Research into Applications of Mineral Recycling", a project filed by the State Key Laboratory of Industrial Gas Reuse, was named on February 14 as a National Basic Research Program (also called 973 Program) and has received special funding amounting to 5 million yuan, according to a notice issued by the Ministry of Science and Technology. The project, which is undertaken by the Southwest Research & Design Institute for the Chemical Industry (SWRDICI) is so far, the biggest basic research project in China, marking a big step forward for the SWRDICI.
According to Gu Gongwei, the project leader, the research program mainly deals with the major requirements of mineral recycling and environmental improvement. It will conduct basic research on coal-mine gas catalytic deoxidation, and explore deep into basic theories, such as gas deoxidation mechanism and structure-activity relationship of gas deoxidation catalysts. The project is likely to yield more than 3 patents of invention, form an innovative team for basic research, and build an R&D base of advanced coal-mine gas recycling. It will provide solid scientific theoretical and technical support for the large-scale utilization of coal-mine gas, making up for the shortage of natural gas, slashing the discharge of greenhouse gases like CH4, boosting a low-carbon economy, increasing safety in coal mines, and pushing forward the development of the coal, energy and chemical industries.