Quantifying urban methane emissions in the city of Stuttgart

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolina Nelson ◽  
Martina Schmidt ◽  
André Butz ◽  
Anke Roiger
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Methane Emission ◽  
Waste Water Treatment ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Methane Emissions ◽  
City Centre ◽  
Dispersion Models ◽  
Geophysical Research ◽  
The City

<p>Even if methane (CH<sub>4</sub>) is one of the most important anthropogenic greenhouse gases, its sources in urban areas are quantitatively highly uncertain. Plant et al. (2019) highlights that current urban inventories probably substantially underestimate real methane emissions. Bottom-up estimates from the German Environmental Agency show uncertainties in urban sources even higher than 300 % (LUBW 2014). Yet for decision makers it is essential to know the strength of potential sources in order to prioritise and perform mitigation actions.</p><p>Baden-Württemberg is amongst the regions with the highest estimated methane emission in Germany[i]. Its capital town Stuttgart with more than 600.000 inhabitants is not only the biggest town but also an important industrial centre of the region. As the city centre is located in a deep circular valley the geographical conditions of Stuttgart favour high air pollution and emission stresses. Therefore, the need of emission reduction is strong and of high political interest. Using the example of Stuttgart, this work empirically targets the gap of knowledge about urban methane emission to provide a scientific base for effective local policy measures. More precisely, this study aims to exemplarily quantify typical urban source like waste water treatment plants and natural gas distribution and storage systems in the city of Stuttgart, Germany, by drive-by in-situ measurements and applied plume diffusion models.</p><p>Within this study, two optical instruments are used in a mobile setup in a van to measure CH<sub>4</sub>, CO<sub>2</sub>, H<sub>2</sub>O, Ethane and δ<sup>13</sup>CH<sub>4</sub> isotopes: a cavity ring-down spectrometer (CRDS, Picarro G2201-I) and Trace Gas Analyzer (OF-CEAS, LiCor LI-7810). Simultaneous 2D wind data and recorded weather conditions allow the application of dispersion models. Our research group used this technique and successfully tested a gaussian plume model on rural sources like dairy farms around Heidelberg, Germany. With the help of the isotopic composition and the Ethane concentrations, thermogenic sources and biogenic sources can be differentiated.</p><p>In August and December 2019, two short campaigns have been performed to identify potentially big sources in Stuttgart. The wastewater treatment plant in Mühlhausen and the natural gas storage facility in Gaisberg have been selected as representative targets. A next campaign is planned in spring 2020, including probably 3D-wind measurements and elaborated dispersion models. By taking advantage of inversion weather conditions, which are typical for Stuttgart, mass balance models can possibly be applied. So far, the results promise to allow quantifying emission rates of the target sources.</p><div> <p><em>LUBW 2014: Luftschadstoff-Emissionskataster Baden-Württemberg 2014, Landesanstalt für Umwelt, Messungen und Naturschutz Baden-Württemberg (LUBW)</em></p> <p><em>Plant et al. 2019: Large Fugitive Methane Emissions From Urban Center Along the U.S. East Coast, Genevieve Plant, Eric A. Kort, Cody Floerchinger, Alexander Gvakharia, Isaac Vimont and Colm Sweeney, Geophysical Research Letters 2019</em></p> [i] https://www.statistikportal.de/de/ugrdl/ergebnisse/gase/ch4 <div> <p> </p> </div> </div>

scholarly journals Methane emission estimates using chamber and tracer release experiments for a municipal waste water treatment plant

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 2957-2999
Author(s):  
C. E. Yver-Kwok ◽  
D. Müller ◽  
C. Caldow ◽  
B. Lebègue ◽  
J. G. Mønster ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Waste Water ◽  
Water Treatment ◽  
Waste Water Treatment ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Water Treatment Plant ◽  
Methane Emissions ◽  
Waste Water Treatment Plant ◽  
Release Method ◽  
The City ◽  
Chamber Measurements

Abstract. This study presents two methods for estimating methane emissions from a waste water treatment plant (WWTP) along with results from a measurement campaign at a WWTP in Valence, France. These methods, chamber measurements and tracer release, rely on Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Cavity Ring Down Spectroscopy (CRDS) instruments. We show that the tracer release method is suitable to quantify facility- and some process-scale emissions, while the chamber measurements, provide insight into individual process emissions. Uncertainties for the two methods are described and discussed. Applying the methods to CH4 emissions of the WWTP, we confirm that the open basins are not a major source of CH4 on the WWTP (about 10% of the total emissions), but that the pretreatment and sludge treatment are the main emitters. Overall, the waste water treatment plant represents a small part (about 1.5%) of the methane emissions of the city of Valence and its surroundings, which is lower than the national inventories.

scholarly journals Estimation of waste water treatment plant methane emissions: methodology and results from a short campaign

2013 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 9181-9224 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. E. Yver-Kwok ◽  
D. Müller ◽  
C. Caldow ◽  
B. Lebegue ◽  
J. G. Mønster ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Waste Water ◽  
Water Treatment ◽  
Waste Water Treatment ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Water Treatment Plant ◽  
Methane Emissions ◽  
Waste Water Treatment Plant ◽  
Tracer Method ◽  
Release Method ◽  
The City

Abstract. This paper describes different methods to estimate methane emissions at different scales. These methods are applied to a waste water treatment plant (WWTP) located in Valence, France. We show that Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) measurements as well as Cavity Ring Down Spectroscopy (CRDS) can be used to measure emissions from the process to the regional scale. To estimate the total emissions, we investigate a tracer release method (using C2H2) and the Radon tracer method (using 222Rn). For process-scale emissions, both tracer release and chamber techniques were used. We show that the tracer release method is suitable to quantify facility- and some process-scale emissions, while the Radon tracer method encompasses not only the treatment station but also a large area around. Thus the Radon tracer method is more representative of the regional emissions around the city. Uncertainties for each method are described. Applying the methods to CH4 emissions, we find that the main source of emissions of the plant was not identified with certainty during this short campaign, although the primary source of emissions is likely to be from solid sludge. Overall, the waste water treatment plant represents a small part (3%) of the methane emissions of the city of Valence and its surroundings,which is in agreement with the national inventories.

scholarly journals Atmospheric Dispersion of PM10 in an Urban Area

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmelia Mariana Dragomir ◽  
Daniel Eduard Constantin ◽  
Mirela Voiculescu ◽  
Lucian Puiu Georgescu Georgescu
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Dispersion Model ◽  
Atmospheric Dispersion ◽  
City Centre ◽  
Anthropogenic Emissions ◽  
Dispersion Models ◽  
Protection Agency ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The City ◽  
Pm10 Emissions

Abstract One way of monitoring the atmospheric pollution is to estimate anthropogenic emissions. This paper presents a study of PM10 emissions in a city SE of Romania (Braila) for the period 2009-2012. PM10 emissions decrease from 304.75 t in 2009 to 78.01 t in 2012. Using data from the Environmental Protection Agency Braila and the METI-LIS dispersion model, four maps were produced in order to estimate the spatial distribution of PM10 emission in each year. Results of dispersion models show that the air quality can change abruptly between points at few meters away. Expectedly, PM10 emissions increase towards the centre of the city centre, are generally higher in the vicinity of busy streets and roads.

scholarly journals Side stream treatment nitrogen removal: alternatives for New York City

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 179-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Ramalingam ◽  
J. Fillos ◽  
M. Mehrdad ◽  
D. Halim ◽  
A. Deur ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
New York City ◽  
Nitrogen Removal ◽  
York City ◽  
Waste Water Treatment ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Cost Comparison ◽  
Waste Water Treatment Plant ◽  
Side Stream ◽  
The City

New York City Environmental Protection (NYCEP) is in the process of upgrading its treatment plants for nitrogen removal and is treating centrate, the side stream emanating from the anaerobic digestion process separately (SCT). The City is currently using a multi prong approach to treat centrate. Currently it uses the conventional nitrification/denitrification process with caustic and carbon addition at some of the plants and has the world's largest SHARON® demonstration facility at one site. In addition, the City is exploring the use of the anammox process as a viable alternative to the above two processes. To this effect, a pilot MBBR partial nitritation/anammox (PNA) reactor was operated in conjunction with the City College of New York (CCNY) at the 26th Ward Waste Water Treatment Plant in Brooklyn, NY. PNA is a nitrogen removal process that has a low carbon footprint and fits a low energy framework exceedingly well with low aeration and no external carbon requirements. Conducting a cost comparison of the PNA process to the conventional SCT and the SHARON® process on a cost per pound of nitrogen removed basis, it is found that the operating costs for the PNA process is only 35% of the SCT and 65% of the SHARON®, thus delivering substantial savings to the City when adopted at full-scale for future decades.

ODOR MONITORING AT THE CITY OF MONTREAL WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANT

2006 ◽  
Vol 2006 (3) ◽  
pp. 850-868
Author(s):  
Pierre Purenne ◽  
Thierry Pagé ◽  
Vincent Béchard ◽  
Christophe Guy
Keyword(s):  
Waste Water ◽  
Water Treatment ◽  
Waste Water Treatment ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Water Treatment Plant ◽  
Waste Water Treatment Plant ◽  
Odor Monitoring ◽  
The City

scholarly journals In Pennsylvania, Methane Emissions Higher Than EPA Estimates

Eos ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron Sidder
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Methane Emission ◽  
Methane Emissions ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Coal Production ◽  
Natural Gas Production

Although methane emission estimates from underground coal production appear to be accurate, the calculated emissions from natural gas production are underreported.

Reducing methane losses across the gas value chain – Woodside journey to excellence

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 501
Author(s):  
Jarrod Pittson ◽  
Allie Convery
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Methane Emission ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Educational Institution ◽  
Distribution Networks ◽  
Methane Emissions ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Guiding Principles

Woodside is the first, and, to date, only, Australian listed company to be a signatory to the Methane Guiding Principles, an industry, non-Government organisation and educational institution collaboration aimed at reducing methane emissions across the natural gas value chain. Woodside’s methane emissions are ~0.04% of our total hydrocarbon production, or 400 kt CO2-eq per annum (Woodside Energy 2019). This is a relatively small methane emission footprint in comparison with other industrial and oil and gas operators; however, to ensure the greenhouse gas and environmental benefits of LNG over coal and other greenhouse intensive fossil fuels remain legitimate and substantial, we recognise the important role of minimising methane losses through the natural gas value chain. The global-warming potential of methane is 86 times more potent over a 20-year time frame than that of carbon dioxide (IPCC 2014). By tackling methane emissions, significant inroads can be made in reducing the impacts of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Woodside became a signatory to the Methane Guiding Principles in April 2018 and has commenced a program of work to deliver on the five principles, which are to (1) continually reduce methane emissions, (2) advance strong performance across gas value chains, (3) improve accuracy of methane emissions data, (4) advocate sound policy and regulations on methane emissions and (5) increase transparency. This paper will focus on the journey we are on, namely, understanding our methane emission footprint within our operational boundaries and setting in place an action plan to reduce these emissions. But it is also a lot broader as we start to look beyond our gates to the transport and distribution networks, through to the end user turning on their gas stove at home. It is about cradle to grave custody of our product for it to be a viable long-term solution in a lower-carbon economy.

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