scholarly journals On Methane Leaks from Pipelines in Bryan and College Station, Texas, USA

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristen Koch ◽  
Shelby Thomas ◽  
Elora Arana ◽  
Geoff Roest ◽  
Gunnar W. Schade
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Distribution System ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Fossil Fuel ◽  
Fast Response ◽  
Metropolitan Region ◽  
Pipeline System ◽  
Domestic Ruminants ◽  
The Us ◽  
Gas Leaks

Methane is the second most important anthropogenically emitted greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide. Anthropogenic methane sources in the US are dominated by emissions from domestic ruminants and from fossil fuel exploration, storage and transmission. The fossil fuel source is primarily due to natural gas leaks along the production to distribution chain, and pipeline leaks in urban areas have been identified as a significant contributor. In this study, we evaluated possible leaks in three neighborhoods of a midsize Texas metropolitan region surrounding Texas A&M University through mobile measurements using a fast response, high precision methane analyzer. Neighborhoods were selected by age and land use, and each predetermined driving route was evaluated three times. Methane spikes exceeding 2.5 ppm were identified as leaks, and approximately one leak per mile of urban road was discovered. The largest leaks were found around the Texas A&M natural gas plant and in the oldest neighborhood to its north, while fewer leaks were found in a slightly younger neighborhood. No leaks were found in the youngest, less than 20-year old neighborhood suggesting that pipeline system age is a strong determinant of current and future leaks from the natural gas distribution system.

Characteristics of urban street level methane emissions in Bucharest, Romania

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julianne Fernandez ◽  
James France ◽  
Malika Menoud ◽  
Hossein Maazallahi ◽  
Marius-Paul Corbu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Greenhouse Gases ◽  
Distribution System ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Methane Emissions ◽  
Point Sources ◽  
Measuring Instruments ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Street Level ◽  
Gas Leaks

<p>Romania has a complex geological history resulting in a very hydrocarbon rich region that is heavily exploited and utilised. Romania’s Fourth Biennial Report under the UNFCCC states that methane (CH<sub>4</sub>) emissions have decreased by 61% between 1989 and 2017, which is a result of decreases in fugitive fossil fuel and livestock emissions. Although there is a decreasing trend of CH<sub>4</sub> levels in most of Europe, we still see an overall increase in atmospheric CH<sub>4</sub> concentrations. As atmospheric CH<sub>4</sub> continues to increase and the mitigation of greenhouse gases becomes more of a concern, it is important to address CH<sub>4</sub> emissions from large cities.  Here we ask the question: What are the major sources of urban methane emissions in Romania’s city capital, Bucharest? Together, street level continuous measurements of CH<sub>4</sub> and ethane (C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>6</sub>), and δ<sup>13</sup>C-CH<sub>4</sub> & δ<sup>2</sup>H-CH<sub>4</sub> of high concentration plumes assist in the identification of emissions, both for major point sources and small leaks from the natural gas distribution system.</p><p> </p><p>Urban focused surveys were conducted in Bucharest during August of 2019. Three continuously-measuring instruments were used, including an LGR Ultraportable CH<sub>4</sub>/C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>6</sub> analyzer, allowing for the separation of natural gas leaks from other source category emissions. CH<sub>4</sub> and C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>6</sub> have been mapped to find locations of elevated mixing ratios above background. Air samples were collected from an inlet on the vehicle bumper (60 cm above ground) that is connected to a bag pump, filling 3L Flexfoil bags.  Samples were then analyzed for δ<sup>13</sup>C-CH<sub>4</sub> & δ<sup>2</sup>H-CH<sub>4</sub> using an IsoPrime Trace Gas continuous flow gas chromatograph isotope ratio mass spectrometer (CF GC-IRMS) at Royal Holloway, University of London and a Thermo Fisher Delta Plus XP, at Utrecht University. Background baselines of CH<sub>4</sub> and isotopic ratios were statistically determined while traveling and distinguished from the various plumes of high concentrations. Point source signatures were then calculated using Keeling plot analysis. C<sub>2</sub>:C<sub>1</sub> ratios from specific emissions types were compared with the correlated δ<sup>13</sup>C<sub>CH4</sub> values.</p><p> </p><p>Detailed urban methane mapping and the use of high precision isotopic source signature measurements provide an efficient approach to identifying and sourcing small gas leaks in urban cities. These results will be useful in future government regulation of greenhouse gas emissions in urban areas as the EU continues to work on the reduction of greenhouse gases.</p>

Methane Estimates in the Northeastern US using Continuous Measurements from a Regional Tower Network

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberly Mueller ◽  
Subhomoy Ghosh ◽  
Anna Karion ◽  
Sharon Gourdji ◽  
Israel Lopez-Coto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
The United States ◽  
Ch4 Emission ◽  
Urban Centers ◽  
Ch4 Emissions ◽  
The Us ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
Northeast Us

<p>In the past decade, there has been a scientific focus on improving the accuracy and precision of methane (CH4) emission estimates in the United States, with much effort targeting oil and natural gas producing basins. Yet, regional CH4 emissions and their attribution to specific sources continue to have significant associated uncertainties. Recent urban work using aircraft observations have suggested that CH4 emissions are not well characterized in major cities along the U.S. East Coast; discrepancies have been attributed to an under-estimation of fugitive emissions from the distribution of natural gas. However, much of regional and urban research has involved the use of aircraft campaigns that can only provide a spatio-temporal snapshot of the CH4 emission landscape. As such, the annual representation and the seasonal variability of emissions remain largely unknown. To further investigate CH4 emissions, we present preliminary CH4 emissions estimates in the Northeastern US as part of NIST’s Northeast Corridor (NEC) testbed project using a regional inversion framework. This area encompasses over 20% of the US and contains many of the dominant CH4 emissions sources important at both regional and local scales.  The atmospheric inversion can estimate sub-monthly 0.1-degree emissions using observations from a regional network of up to 37 in-situ towers; some towers are in non-urban areas while others are in cities or suburban areas. The inversion uses different emission products to help provide a prior constraint within the inversion including anthropogenic emissions from both the EDGAR v42 for the year 2008 and the US EPA for the year 2012, and natural wetland CH4 emissions from the WetCHARTs ensemble mean for the year 2010. Results include the comparison of synthetic model simulated CH4 concentrations (i.e., convolutions of the emission products with WRF-STILT footprints + background) to mole-fractions measured at the regional in-situ sites. The comparison provides an indication as to how well our prior understanding of emissions and incoming air flow matches the atmospheric signatures due to the underlying CH4 sources.  We also present a preliminary set of CH4 fluxes for a selected number of urban centers and discuss challenges estimating highly-resolved methane emissions using high-frequency in-situ observations for a regional domain (e.g. few constraints, skewness in underlying fluxes, representing incoming background, etc.). Overall, this work provides the basis for a year-long inversion that will yields regional CH4 emissions over the Northeast US with a focus on Eastern urban areas.</p>

Multi-Pollutant Removal System Performance: Based on Testing and Plant Operation Experience

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
H.-J. Hamel ◽  
Walter Jaeger ◽  
Volker Fattinger ◽  
Heinz Termuehlen
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Natural Gas ◽  
Electric Power ◽  
System Performance ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Fossil Fuel ◽  
Pollutant Removal ◽  
Clean Coal ◽  
The Us ◽  
Removal System

Since roughly 95 % of the fossil fuel reserves in the US are coal and only 5 % natural gas and crude oil, we need clean coal-fired power plants. Today, about 1400 pulverized-coal-fired power plant units are generating roughly 50 % of the US electric power.

Comments: Oil Demand Optimism

2021 ◽  
Vol 73 (08) ◽  
pp. 8-8
Author(s):  
Pam Boschee
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Electricity Generation ◽  
Fossil Fuel ◽  
International Energy Agency ◽  
Electricity Demand ◽  
Asia Pacific ◽  
Energy Information Administration ◽  
Demand Growth ◽  
The Us ◽  
Oil Demand

Forecasts for oil demand are looking up, according to OPEC and the International Energy Agency as of mid-July. Will the optimistic views prove to be on target? We have learned how the market can shift or wildly careen, both historically and in the very recent past. Looking at the forecasts, which reflect a consensus of sorts, is encouraging for producers. OPEC’s monthly report of 15 July projected global oil demand to reach nearly 100 million B/D next year, a level similar to pre-pandemic in 2019. The 2021 oil demand growth remains unchanged at 5.95 million B/D, or approximately 6.6%. Led by demand growth in the US, China, and India, a 3.4% increase is expected in 2022 to 99.86 million B/D and would average more than 100 million B/D in the second half of the year. “Solid expectations exist for global economic growth in 2022,” OPEC said. “These include improved containment of COVID-19, particularly in emerging and developing countries, which are forecast to spur oil demand to reach pre-pandemic levels in 2022.” If the actual recovery tracks with these predictions, OPEC can dial back further its record-level supply cuts made in 2020. The IEA points to the growth expected in global electricity demand as spurring fossil-fuel demand, including oil, coal, and natural gas. After falling by around 1% in 2020, electricity demand growth may approach 5% in 2021 and 4% in 2022. The Asia Pacific region will account for the majority of the increases. China, the world’s largest consumer of electricity, leads the tally, accounting for more than 50% of the 2022 growth. India, the third largest, will account for 9% of the global electricity growth. Renewables are expected to be able to serve around half of the projected growth in global demand in 2021 and 2022. IEA wrote, “Renewable electricity generation continues to grow strongly—but cannot keep up with increasing demand. After expanding by 7% in 2020, electricity generation from renewables is forecast to increase by 8% in 2021 and by more than 6% in 2022.” Fossil fuel-based electricity is set to cover 45% of additional demand in 2021 and 40% in 2022. After declining by 4.6% in 2020, coal-fired electricity generation will increase by nearly 5% in 2021, exceeding pre-pandemic levels. In 2022, it will grow another 3% and could reach an all-time high. Natural gas-generated electricity lags coal because it is less commonly used in the Asia Pacific and competes with renewables in the US and Europe. It is expected to increase globally by 1% in 2021 and by nearly 2% in 2022 after declining by 2% in 2020. The US Energy Information Administration published a global financial review last month of 91 oil and gas companies, most headquartered in the US, in the first quarter 2021. It indicated that companies are implementing their plans announced over the past year to reduce capital expenditures to pay down debt. Capital expenditure in 1Q2021 was reported as $48 billion, 28% lower than in 1Q2020 and the second- lowest amount for any quarter since 2016. Cash from operations in Q1 this year totaled $79 billion, 19% higher than in 1Q2020; about 76% of companies had positive free cash flow. Overall, the companies decreased debt by $16 billion in 1Q2021, and the long-term debt-to-equity ratio decreased to 54%.

Climate talks highlight shortcomings in global efforts

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Private Sector ◽  
Fossil Fuel ◽  
Paris Agreement ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Net Zero ◽  
The Us ◽  
Climate Action ◽  
Trump Administration ◽  
Credibility Gap

Significance Washington has re-joined the Paris agreement and announced new climate commitments, but still faces a credibility gap. It must demonstrate by November’s COP26 summit, how it can meet its new goals. Impacts Private sector companies will face increasing pressure to set net-zero targets. The use of natural gas as a transition fossil fuel will face greater scrutiny as pressure for drastic climate action increases. Fossil fuel subsidy reform is likely to return to G20 priorities after having been neglected during the US Trump administration.

Monitoring ffCO2 emission hotspots using atmospheric 14CO2 measurements

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Hammer ◽  
Christoph Rieß ◽  
Fabian Maier ◽  
Tobias Kneuer ◽  
Julian Della Coletta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Fossil Fuel ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emission ◽  
Transport Model ◽  
Metropolitan Region ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Geophysical Research ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Emission Area ◽  
Wide Range

<p>Reliable estimates of fossil fuel CO<sub>2</sub> (ffCO<sub>2</sub>) emissions from high-emission regions or urban areas are currently in demand from a wide range of players. On the one hand, cities and municipalities themselves are interested in an independent validation of their ffCO<sub>2</sub> emissions. On the other hand, there is an increased interest in atmospheric science to merge independent emission estimate methods over different scales [Pinty et al. 2019]. <sup>14</sup>CO<sub>2</sub> has become the gold standard when it comes to the experimental splitting of atmospheric CO<sub>2</sub> concentration into its biogenic and fossil components [e.g. Levin et al. 2003; 2011 or Turnbull et al. 2009].</p><p>Here we report on the identification of ffCO<sub>2</sub> emitted from the Mannheim/Ludwigshafen metropolitan region in the upper Rhine valley, Germany. Quantification of the regional ffCO<sub>2</sub> component requires knowledge of the composition of the background air. Thus, the emission area has been sampled by an upwind and a downwind station. We will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using local background measurements conducted at a dedicated upwind station of the emission area and compare this realisation of background estimate to regional background estimates derived from measurements at classical remote background sites. All CO<sub>2</sub> and <sup>14</sup>CO<sub>2</sub> observations have been performed as part of the European RINGO project. Furthermore, we investigate the suitability of using the total-CO<sub>2</sub> difference between the two stations as a proxy for fossil fuel CO<sub>2</sub> and the seasonal applicability of such a surrogate tracer. Finally, the observations of the total-CO<sub>2</sub> surrogate tracer will be compared with the predictions from STILT forward model runs.</p><p> </p><p>Ref.:</p><p>Levin, I., B. Kromer, M. Schmidt and H. Sartorius, 2003. A novel approach for independent budgeting of fossil fuels CO2 over Europe by 14CO2 observations. Geophys. Res. Lett. 30(23), 2194, doi. 10.1029/2003GL018477.</p><p>Levin, I., S. Hammer, E. Eichelmann, F. Vogel, 2011. Verification of greenhouse gas emission reductions: The prospect of atmospheric monitoring in polluted areas. Philosophical Transactions A 369, 1906-1924, doi:10.1098/rsta.2010.0249.</p><p>Pinty B., P. Ciais, D. Dee, H. Dolman, M. Dowell, R. Engelen, K. Holmlund, G. Janssens-Maenhout, Y. Meijer, P. Palmer, M. Scholze, H. Denier van der Gon, M. Heimann, O. Juvyns, A. Kentarchos and H. Zunker (2019) An Operational Anthropogenic CO₂ Emissions Monitoring & Verification Support Capacity – Needs and high level requirements for in situ measurements, doi: 10.2760/182790, European Commission Joint Research Centre, EUR 29817 EN</p><p>Turnbull, J., Rayner, P., Miller, J., Naegler, T., Ciais, P., & Cozic, A. (2009). On the use of 14CO2 as a tracer for fossil fuel CO2: Quantifying uncertainties using an atmospheric transport model. Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 114(D22).</p>

scholarly journals Systematic approach to natural gas usage for domestic heating in urban areas

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dejan Brkić ◽  
Toma I. Tanasković
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Distribution System ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Energy Supply ◽  
District Heating ◽  
Heating System ◽  
Gas Distribution ◽  
Coordinated Development ◽  
Supply Systems ◽  
Selection Of

Natural gas can be used for satisfying population needs for heating, either directly by bringing the gas to the dwellings through the gas distribution system and combusting it in the domestic boiler (gas distribution system—G) or indirectly by combusting the natural gas in the heating plant and distributing the heat energy to the dwellings through the district-heating (DH) system. The selection of a certain type of heating system is made according to the disposition of buildings in the area, their number, size, insulation quality, etc. Based on these characteristics, calculations of investments and exploitation costs have been made for both heating systems and a comparison has been made for all of the 96 presented cases. Almost each type of real settlement can be represented by one of the types of the conditional urban area that are introduced in the paper. The main goal of this paper is to establish a general model to achieve coordinated development of centralized energy supply systems fueled by natural gas, based on defined and accepted criteria. A structure analysis of centralized systems for energy supply has been done with accent on their pipelines.

scholarly journals TIME-SERIES ANALYSIS OF PRICE INTERRELATIONS IN MAJOR U.S. FOSSIL FUELS MARKETS

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
DRAGAN MILJKOVIC ◽  
NATE DALBEC
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Natural Gas ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Fossil Fuel ◽  
Structural Break ◽  
Oil Prices ◽  
Gas Oil ◽  
Fuel Prices ◽  
The Us ◽  
Per Capita

The objective of this study is to analyze price movements and interrelations of U.S natural gas, oil, and coal prices, as three main fossil fuels in the US. Structural break were identified in both natural gas and oil prices in February of 2009, at the peak of U.S. financial crisis. Both natural gas and oil are shown to be weak substitutes for coal, while the opposite relationships are not found. Stronger U.S. dollar led to lower fossil fuel prices, while only oil prices have been shown to depend on movement of income per capita and stock market.

Understanding Risks: Natural Gas Distribution Piping in the United States

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Lyons ◽  
Mohammad Modarres
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Natural Gas ◽  
Distribution System ◽  
Distribution Systems ◽  
The United States ◽  
Pipeline System ◽  
Gas Distribution ◽  
The Public ◽  
Accident Data ◽  
The U.S

Abstract Two hundred sixty-nine regulated pipeline system accidents caused fatalities and/or injuries in the United States between 2010 and 2018, resulting in 106 fatalities and 599 injuries requiring hospitalization. About 84% of these serious accidents occurred on gas distribution systems, which primarily transport natural gas. This study adapts probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) methods which are used predominantly in the space and nuclear industries to gas distribution systems in the U.S. Nationwide system and accident data are used to evaluate natural gas distribution system risks, estimate how many additional resources the public would be willing to dedicate to reduce or eliminate these risks, and determine which improvement areas warrant further evaluation. Recommendations regarding the overall PRA-based framework, as well as the scope, quality, and level of detail of the underlying data, are provided.

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