A preliminary evaluation of carbon dioxide sequestration in coal seams at the Mae Moh mine, northern Thailand: A review

The Mae Moh lignite-fired power plant is the only lignite-fired power plant and is the main point source of CO₂ emissions in Thailand. This power plant uses lignite supplied from the Mae Moh lignite open-pit mine in the same vicinity. Carbon dioxide sequestration technologies can play a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions in the energy sector, particularly in coal-fired power plants. This case study provides the first assessment of the potential for geological CO₂ storage in coal seams at the Mae Moh coal mine in northern Thailand based on literature reviews. The Mae Moh Basin is a rift basin with a complex normal fault and contains coal seams at different depths separated by claystones. The geological setting potentially offers favorable conditions for the geological storage of CO₂ in the coal seams through a combination of physical and chemical trapping mechanisms. The findings suggest that the Mae Moh coal mine is suitable for geological CO₂ storage, especially in K and Q coal seams. However, leakage risks, storage capacity, and CO₂-water-coal reactions could be problematic. Thus, more subsurface studies should be carried out, and more detailed criteria should be considered before CO₂ sequestration is undertaken in the Mae Moh coal mine.