Methane Abatement

Introduction

Methane is a relatively potent greenhouse gas. Methane is a chemical compound with the chemical formula CH4. It is the simplest alkane, the principal component of natural gas, and probably the most abundant organic compound on earth.

The relative abundance of methane makes it an attractive fuel. However, because it is a gas at normal conditions, methane is difficult to transport from its source.

Sources of Methane

Biogas
Biogas typically refers to a gas produced by the biological breakdown of organic matter in the absence of oxygen. Organic waste such as dead plant and animal material, animal dung, and kitchen waste can be converted into a gaseous fuel called biogas. Biogas originates from biogenic material and is a type of biofuel.

Landfil Gas
Landfill gas is approximately forty to sixty percent methane, with the remainder being mostly carbon dioxide. Landfill gas also contains varying amounts of nitrogen, oxygen, water vapour, hydrogen sulphide, and other contaminants.

Coalbed Methane (CBM)
Coalbed methane and coalbed gas, is a form of natural gas extracted from coal beds. In recent decades it has become an important source of energy in United States, Canada, and other countries. Australia has rich deposits where it is known as coal seam gas (CSG).

Coal Mine Methane (CMM), Abandoned Mine Methane (AMM)
Coal mine methane should be distinguished from coal bed methane (CBM): coal mine methane is the gas that is released immediately prior to, during, or subsequent to coal mining activities and, thus, has climate change impacts.

Technology Focus

Anaerobic Digestion
Anaerobic digestion is a series of processes in which microorganisms break down biodegradable material in the absence of oxygen. It is used for industrial or domestic purposes to manage waste and/or to release energy in the form of methane.

Gas to Liquid
Gas to liquids (GTL) is a refinery process to convert methane gas or other gaseous hydrocarbons into longer-chain hydrocarbons such as gasoline or diesel fuel. Methane-rich gases are converted into liquid synthetic fuels either via direct conversion or via syngas as an intermediate, for example using the Fischer Tropsch or Mobil processes.

NoCOO Projects

NoCOO, in partnership with China New Energy is actively working on projects to capture waste biogases from biorefineries so that they can be sold through gas distribution grids »