CATERPILLAR ANNOUNCES OPEN ORDER BOARD FOR G3516C GENERATOR SET OPTIMIZED TO BURN LEAN COAL MINE METHANE

For Worldwide Release: October 1, 2019

Caterpillar Electric Power is pleased to announce the first natural gas-powered generator sets optimized to burn lean coal mine methane are now available for order. Caterpillar’s focus on expanded offerings reflects our commitment to create greater customer value and loyalty by providing the right solutions and technologies, for the right applications, in the right geographies to meet customer needs.

The Cat® G3516C is optimized to run on lean coal mine methane (LCMM) for local mining applications. “Having the ability to manufacture the LCMM generator sets will provide significant benefits to our local customers,” said Peter Lau, sales manager of the Asia Pacific Region for Caterpillar Energy Solutions. “For the customer, the start of dedicated production from Tianjin will mean shorter lead and delivery times, enhanced product support, and optimized cost efficiencies.”

For years Chinese mining companies have utilized coal mine methane (CMM) to produce power generation for mine sites. CMM is a byproduct of coal formations in subterranean coal seams and is released before or during active coal mining. CMM can be hazardous to miners if not properly managed. Typically, this means venting the CMM into the atmosphere or burning it in a flare. However, methane is a greenhouse gas with more than 20 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide, so its release into the atmosphere is considered harmful. By capturing the previously vented methane gas and converting it into electricity, the Cat generator sets significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions while improving the capacity of the local power grid.

“When local mining sites first began using CMM to generate power, the concentration of the methane was around 55 percent,” said Lau. “However, in some applications, the methane is diluted to a much lower concentration. When methane concentration is high it’s easy to burn as fuel in an engine. When it gets down to the 12 to 16 percent, it becomes classified as lean coal mine methane gas (LCMM) which requires engine adjustments and additional fuels to properly burn. The G3516C generator, has been optimized to burn LCMM, saving customers from additional adjustments that had to be made in the past.”

Caterpillar is leading the power generation provider with leading power systems engineered to deliver unmatched flexibility, expandability, reliability and cost-effectiveness. With parts and service available globally, Caterpillar offers worldwide product support through its comprehensive service and dealer network, where technicians are trained to service every aspect of the equipment.  

# # #

About Caterpillar

For more than 90 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been making sustainable progress possible and driving positive change on every continent. Customers turn to Caterpillar to help them develop infrastructure, energy and natural resource assets. With 2018 sales and revenues of $54.722 billion, Caterpillar is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. The company principally operates through its three primary segments – Construction Industries, Resource Industries and Energy & Transportation - and also provides financing and related services through its Financial Products segment. For more information, visit caterpillar.com. To connect with us on social media, visit caterpillar.com/social-media.

CAT, CATERPILLAR, LET’S DO THE WORK, their respective logos, “Caterpillar Yellow,” the “Power Edge” and Cat “Modern Hex” trade dress, as well as corporate and product identity used herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission.

©2019 Caterpillar
All Rights Reserved