Articles tagged with Natural Gas
A new study estimates methane leak rates from a 2015 California well blowout, which temporarily doubled Los Angeles' combined emissions. The research used airborne and surface measurements to quantify gas releases, highlighting the impact of single infrastructure vulnerabilities on climate policies.
A recent study published in Science confirms that the Aliso Canyon natural gas well blowout was the nation's largest methane release. The event released over 100,000 tons of methane into the air, doubling the rate of methane emissions from the entire Los Angeles Basin.
A recent study published in Science reveals that the Aliso Canyon natural gas well blowout released over 100,000 tons of methane, doubling the rate of emissions from the entire Los Angeles basin. The disaster created the largest known human-caused point source of methane in the US.
A new study by MIT economist Christopher Knittel suggests that technology-driven cost reductions in fossil fuels will lead to continued use of oil, gas, and coal unless governments pass new taxes on carbon emissions. Burning all available fossil fuels could raise global average temperatures by 10-15 degrees Fahrenheit by 2100.
Stanford Professor Rob Jackson found high levels of natural gas in tap water near active wells, often caused by poorly constructed wells or lack of cementing. Shallow fracking operations can contaminate freshwater aquifers, posing a risk to drinking water quality.
Researchers at UNIST developed a new method to synthesize hierarchically structured carbon-sheathed germanium nanowires with enhanced chemical and thermal stability. The technique, assisted by thermal decomposition of natural gas, enables large-scale production at low cost.
Researchers at University of Pittsburgh's Swanson School of Engineering are developing a new type of storage system that uses metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to adsorb natural gas like a sponge. The material is designed to dissipate heat quickly, making it more efficient than traditional CNG tanks.
A proposed technique developed by a Penn State-led research team enhances oil recovery rates by up to 78-90% and sequesters more carbon dioxide. The model uses horizontal drilling and supercritical carbon dioxide to extract light components from the oil.
New study from CU Denver finds that even low levels of natural gas leakage can make it as damaging as coal for climate change. The research shows a leakage rate of 3.9% over 20 years and 9.1% over 100 years makes natural gas equivalent to coal in terms of greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have developed flexible metal-organic frameworks that can store methane efficiently, addressing the low energy density issue with natural gas as a transportation fuel. The new design enables higher usable capacity and internal heat management during adsorption and desorption.
Researchers have created a new material that can store methane more efficiently, enabling the development of natural gas-powered cars with greater driving range and reduced hassle. The flexible MOF expands when methane is pumped in and contracts when it's extracted, making it suitable for use in home compressors.
The University of Michigan released its final report on high-volume hydraulic fracturing in Michigan, providing an analysis of policy options for the state's natural gas and oil extraction process. The report includes recommendations for public participation, water resources, and chemical use related to high-volume hydraulic fracturing.
A Stanford-led study finds that pipeline replacement programs can significantly reduce natural gas leaks, with cities like Durham and Cincinnati showing a 90% decrease. This improvement is attributed to public-private partnerships, which have upgraded the city's infrastructure.
A review of over 100 scientific studies found that natural gas mining operations release complex mixtures of endocrine disrupting chemicals, which could harm human development and reproduction. Researchers recommend a process to examine the total endocrine disrupting activity from exposure to these chemicals.
Researchers found a strong association between helium and groundwater, suggesting that large volumes of helium are being transported into natural gas fields. This discovery indicates that the existing helium reserves may be greater than initially thought.
A new study finds that economic factors, including consumption and production changes, account for the majority of the decline in US carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels. The analysis used Structural Decomposition Analysis to tease apart the various contributions of six different factors related to energy use and CO2 emissions.
NIST researchers found that hydrogen-specific steel pipelines can cost 68% more than natural gas pipelines due to damage caused by hydrogen over time. However, they also propose modifying industry codes to allow the use of higher-strength steel alloys without thicker pipe walls, resulting in a net cost reduction.
A Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA) study found that fuel cells for cars are only ecologically sound if they run on hydrogen from renewable energy sources. Electric cars powered by EU electricity also produce more environmental pollution than gasoline-powered cars.
The Stanford University's Natural Gas Initiative aims to minimize greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and boost economies through the responsible development of natural gas. The program will fund interdisciplinary research in six key areas, including resource development, environmental impacts, and policy reform.
A Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA) project developed an innovative hybrid-electric powertrain for road sweepers, reducing energy consumption by 45% compared to diesel-powered vehicles. The new system also decreases CO2 emissions by 60%, thanks to natural gas's lower carbon content.
Researchers discovered that nanobubbles persist in liquid, influencing the formation and dissociation of natural gas hydrates. The findings provide insight into the mechanism of hydrate decomposition and could lead to more efficient and safe extraction of methane hydrates.
Switching to natural gas trucks could worsen climate impacts if not done efficiently, a study suggests. Methane emissions from the supply chain and engine inefficiencies pose significant challenges.
A recent study found that hydraulic fracturing emits pollutants like PAHs, linked to cancer and respiratory ailments, at higher levels than safe for lifetime exposure. The risk is highest near wells, but decreases with distance.
Researchers found a 36-70% reduction in methane emissions from local natural gas distribution systems, largely due to upgrades and regulatory changes. The study, led by Washington State University, suggests that the industry's contribution to US greenhouse gas emissions is lower than previously estimated.
Economists from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam found a significant correlation between natural gas extraction and house price decreases in the northern Netherlands. Earthquakes induced by gas extraction result in house price drops of approximately USD 2750, affecting the region's housing market.
Researchers developed new techniques to locate, quantify and attribute sources of leaked methane emissions from oil and gas operations. They used space-based observations to identify high methane releases in the US, challenging previous estimates of low leakage rates.
Researchers at PNNL found that natural gas solid oxide fuel cells can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 56% compared to conventional coal plants, while also lowering electricity costs. The technology could play a significant role in meeting future energy demand and help offset costs by selling excess power back to the grid.
A new Duke University study estimates that a gallon of gasoline costs around $3.80 more than the pump price when health and environment are factored in. The social cost of diesel is about $4.80 more, while natural gas becomes cheaper than its initial price. Solar and wind power also become cheaper.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota developed a financial feasibility metric to determine when solar-heated biomass gasification systems can be profitable. The study found that these systems could break even at natural gas prices between $4.04 and $10.90 per gigajoule.
A Harvard-led study reveals that up to 2.7% of the gas delivered to Boston households escapes into the atmosphere, with emissions accounting for 60-100% of regional methane release depending on the season. The findings highlight the need for innovative policymaking to address methane loss from natural gas infrastructure.
Researchers at Rice University have identified 48 metal organic frameworks that outperform current materials in storing compressed natural gas. The discovery could lead to more efficient and environmentally friendly natural gas cars with lighter, more compact tanks.
According to Robert Jackson, minimizing water and air impacts of fracking requires best practices, with surface spills, wastewater disposal, and drinking-water contamination posing primary threats. Natural gas power plants emit less CO2 than coal-fired plants but methane leakage is a significant problem in the US natural gas industry.
Researchers found that a small group of pneumatic devices and wells with frequent liquid unloadings are responsible for the vast majority of methane emissions from natural gas production sites. The study confirms regional differences in methane emission levels, with highest emissions in the Gulf Coast and lowest in the Rocky Mountains.
Researchers from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology measured high concentrations of organic pollutants emitted during fracking processes in the US, exceeding urban air quality standards by a factor of one thousand. The study found that certain technologies, such as open fracking facilities, release significantly more benzene and oth...
Researchers found that natural gas power plants are more efficient than coal plants, producing less warming in the long term. However, significant methane leakage can offset this benefit, making them comparable to coal plants in terms of climate impact. To mitigate this, carbon capture and storage methods may be necessary.
A recent study found that increased natural gas production will not significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as market effects dominate. The global deployment of advanced natural gas technology could even lead to up to 10% higher CO2 emissions by the middle of this century.
A recent study found that expanding global natural gas production will not significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. Instead, it could displace lower-emitting energy sources and accelerate economic growth.
A new study by the University of Michigan and NASA reveals that the Four Corners region in the US Southwest has the largest methane signal seen from space, with over half a teragram emitted annually. The research uses satellite data to identify the source of the emissions, which are likely caused by infrastructure and coalbed methane.
A recent study by UC Irvine researchers suggests that relying on natural gas to reduce emissions will have minimal effect. The study found that high gas usage can delay the construction of low-carbon energy facilities, ultimately leading to increased cumulative emissions.
A new IEA study highlights the need for clear frame conditions to promote biomethane market growth. The report analyzes production technologies, grid injection, and use in various countries, emphasizing the importance of technical standards, sustainability requirements, and financial support.
Researchers from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology published experimental data on jet fuel combustion, defining induction periods for various temperatures, pressures, and blending ratios. The study focuses on kerosene, a complex mixture of hydrocarbons, and aims to validate kinetic models for its burning.
Researchers at Rice University have created a porous material that can capture and polymerize carbon dioxide from natural gas at ambient temperature. The material shows promise to replace more costly and energy-intensive processes, enabling the economic production of gas resources with higher carbon dioxide content.
A metal-organic framework (MOF) has been found to catalyze the conversion of ethane from natural gas into ethanol, a process previously thought to require complex biological steps. The discovery showcases the potential for laboratory-made materials to mimic nature's processes.
New research from UEA shows a single bacterial strain can grow on both methane and propane in natural gas, reducing pollution. This finding could help mitigate the effects of greenhouse gas emissions from natural gas seeps and human activities.
The KAIST team created a box-type pressure vessel with a lattice structure, which can efficiently store liquefied natural gas (LNG) without the need for multiple cylindrical tanks. This design reduces space utilization issues and lowers manufacturing costs by using special steel alloys.
Researchers at the University of Houston are developing a low-cost GPS-based system to provide real-time alerts to pipeline owners and excavator operators when digging near pipelines. The system, supported by a $700,000 grant, aims to reduce accidents caused by excavation damage.
Scientists at Brigham Young University discovered a new way to convert natural gas into upgraded liquid alcohol fuel, reducing dependence on petroleum. The breakthrough uses ordinary metals like thallium and lead to trigger the conversion process at lower temperatures.
Scientists from Scripps Research Institute have devised a new method to convert major components of natural gas into useable fuels and chemicals at lower temperatures. This could lead to cheaper energy and materials with lower emissions.
Researchers from Queen Mary University of London used mathematical models to analyze the resilience of European natural gas networks. They found that countries in Eastern Europe are less resilient to crises than their counterparts in Western Europe, with Ukraine and Belarus facing significant challenges.
A recent study published in Science reveals that methane emissions from natural gas systems can have a significant impact on the climate benefits of switching to natural gas. The research suggests that more efforts should be made to reduce methane leaks and improve measurement tools for policy-making. Additionally, the study identifies...
A new analysis confirms the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) underestimation of US methane emissions from natural gas systems. The study found that even small leaks from the system are important due to methane's potency as a greenhouse gas.
Scientists at NREL are working on a biological process to convert methane from fracking into liquid diesel fuel, which could lower dependence on foreign oil and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The process uses microbes that can digest methane and produce lipids, the precursor to fuel.
Researchers from Duke University and Boston University found over 5,900 natural gas leaks under Washington, D.C., with concentrations as high as 500,000 parts per million. The leaks pose explosion risks and release high levels of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas.
Researchers have mapped nearly 6,000 pipeline leaks in Washington, D.C., with high concentrations found at 19 sites, including some manholes with methane levels up to 500,000 parts per million. The study highlights the need for financial incentives and targeted programs to reduce leaks and replace old cast-iron pipes.
A new study found that US power plant emissions decreased by 20-40% since the switch to natural gas with combined cycle technology, releasing significantly less carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide. This shift in energy production led to a reduction of 23% less CO2 in the atmosphere last year.
A study by University of Texas at Austin researchers found that shifting from coal to natural gas for electricity generation saves significantly more water than the additional consumption required for hydraulic fracturing. Water savings can be up to 25-50 times greater, making Texas less vulnerable to drought.
New research links fracking chemicals to hormone disruption and reproductive issues in humans nearby. Water samples from drilling sites showed high levels of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), which can interfere with hormones and increase health risks.
Scientists at Sandia National Laboratories are working on a $34 million project to develop biocatalyst technologies that can convert natural gas into liquid fuel for transportation. They aim to engineer pathways from microbes that metabolize methane to produce butanol, a promising biofuel option.
The University of Houston has received a $4 million grant from the Welch Foundation to establish a Center of Excellence in Polymer Chemistry. This will support fundamental chemistry research and collaboration with petrochemical companies to develop new polymer products and technologies.
Researchers at ETH Zurich developed an internal combustion engine that achieves fuel efficiency of less than 2.4l per 100km while emitting less than half the CO2 compared to traditional engines. The natural gas-diesel hybrid engine uses sophisticated control engineering and innovative electronic combustion control.