Mendhe, Vinod Atmaram and Mishra, Arvind Kumar and Kumari, Manisha and Kumari, Sangam (2025) Emission of Inflammable Gases during Development of Hydel Tunnels in Complex Himalayan Terrain of Eastern Bhutan. Water and Energy International, 68r (9). pp. 11-16.
Full text not available from this repository.Abstract
Countries around the world are exploring clean energy technologies and hydropower projects are one of the best options for generating energy without harming the environment and ecosystem. Bhutan is known for being carbon neutral in terms of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Bhutan is part of the greater Himalayas, characterized by complex terrain and a rich river system. The hilly river network features high-gradient, fast-flowing and perennial rivers favours the construction of hydropower projects. Bhutan aims to reach a total electricity generation capacity of 25 gig watts (GW) by 2040. This includes 20 GW from hydropower and 5 GW from solar. The current hydropower capacity ~ 2.4 GW and under construction ~ 3.1 GW. The hydel projects needs extensive tunneling in the complex hilly terrain comprising the classic Himalayan subdivision into four main zones: the Sub-Himalaya, Lesser Himalaya, Greater Himalaya and Tethyan Himalaya, each bounded by major faults. Out of these, the Lesser Himalayan Sequence, located between the Main Boundary Thrust (MBT) and the Main Central Thrust (MCT), comprises 8 -12 km of Paleoproterozoic to Permian metasediments. This sequence is divided into the lower Paleoproterozoic Shumar and Daling Formations and the upper Cambrian Baxa Group and Permian Gondwana Sequence. The Baxa Group includes quartzites and dolomites, while the Gondwana Sequence features coal-bearing strata. The Gondwana sediments mainly contain carbonaceous shale and coal seam lenses, which have a significant amount of organic carbon. Gases generated primarily methane (CH4) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) are stored in the coal and shale deposits. These gases can be released during tunneling operations and may accumulate along the tunnel roof, posing an explosion risk if ignited.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Emission, Inflammable gases, Measurement, Tunnels, Hydropower, Safety measures |
| Subjects: | Methane Emission and Degasification |
| Divisions: | UNSPECIFIED |
| Depositing User: | Mr. B. R. Panduranga |
| Date Deposited: | 15 Jun 2026 06:08 |
| Last Modified: | 15 Jun 2026 06:08 |
| URI: | https://cimfr.csircentral.net/id/eprint/3028 |
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