Articles tagged with Methane
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Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed an energy-efficient reactor that captures and recycles methane to produce clean hydrogen and high-performance carbon nanotubes. The process uses a multi-pass floating catalyst chemical vapour deposition reactor with process gas recycling, significantly reducing energy requirements.
A recent study suggests that lunar spacecraft exhaust methane can contaminate areas of the moon where original ingredients of earthly life may be found. The pollution can unfold rapidly, with more than half of the total exhaust methane settling in regions potentially harboring prebiotic organic molecules within seven days.
Eight SwRI hydrogen projects funded by ENERGYWERX will evaluate new technology and existing infrastructure for a hydrogen-powered future. The projects, conducted at SwRI's Metering Research Facility, aim to improve energy infrastructure and support the use of clean-burning fuel.
Researchers found that adding biochar to advanced food waste recycling systems can significantly increase hydrogen and methane production. Biochar acts as a natural buffer, keeping pH levels optimal for microbes and supporting robust microbial communities.
Researchers have developed an iron-based catalyst that tames the reactivity of methane, paving the way for natural gas to become a sustainable raw material for high-value chemicals. The method uses iron—a cheap, abundant, and far less toxic metal—and operates under mild temperature and pressure conditions.
The CliMetS initiative aims to bridge research gaps and foster cross-continental partnerships to address the threat of seabed methane seeps. Through a series of regional workshops, HKUST has united over 200 experts worldwide in mapping and quantifying these seeps.
A meta-analysis of 16 studies found that diverse pasturelands have no effect on milk production or methane emissions, but a higher proportion of legumes can promote milk yield. The study suggests that farms should consider the benefits of diverse grassland areas for overall productivity and ecosystem benefits.
Methane emissions from global trade have risen by 30% since 1990, driven by rapid industrialization and population growth in Asia and the developing Pacific region. The study calls for targeted sectoral strategies to reduce emissions, including advanced leak detection and improved livestock feed formulations.
Researchers found that wildfire chars can suppress methane production by supporting the growth of bacteria that outcompete methanogens. This natural process could have important implications for mitigating greenhouse gases and climate change.
Researchers developed a NiO/Ni heterostructure electrocatalyst that enhances methane conversion and hydrogen production. The catalyst achieved high liquid product formation rates and remarkable Faradaic efficiencies. In situ characterization revealed the reaction mechanism, identifying key active species and promoting efficient electro...
This study uses Steady-State Isotopic Transient Kinetic Analysis to investigate the effects of microwave heating on Dry Reforming of Methane. The results show that microwave activation induces the formation of reactive coke, enhancing the reaction rate and reducing surface intermediate concentrations.
Researchers found consistent evidence of reduced global atmospheric oxidation in 2020, driven by decreased nitrogen oxide emissions and extreme wildfires in the Southern Hemisphere. This decline had a significant impact on methane concentrations, contributing to one of the largest annual increases ever recorded.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology discovered that ship traffic triggers large methane emissions in shallow areas, including ports. The study found that cruise and container ships caused the most frequent and largest measured methane releases.
A new McGill University study reveals methane emissions from non-producing oil and gas wells in Canada are seven times higher than government estimates. The findings highlight the need to improve monitoring, reporting, and management of methane leaks.
Researchers detected atmospheric methane and silicon monoxide on WASP-121b, suggesting it accumulated most of its gas in a cold region before becoming an ultra-hot giant planet. The team proposes that strong vertical winds on the nightside replenish methane gas to maintain its high abundance.
Researchers found a new recipe to improve biogas production from alfalfa by adding fruit waste and an anaerobic microbe, boosting methane production by 33% and reducing costs. The added ingredients also increased the nutritional content of remaining plant matter.
The EBDM system effectively controls membrane fouling, enhances effluent quality, and improves methane productivity in wastewater treatment. The electric field modifies the physicochemical properties of the biomass, reducing the fouling potential and promoting microbial metabolism.
Researchers propose a novel approach to reduce carbon emissions in cement manufacturing by leveraging iron naturally present in cement raw materials. The method enables the co-thermal conversion of CaCO₃ with CH₄ under a methane atmosphere, resulting in high-value syngas as a byproduct and significantly reducing carbon footprint.
New York dairy farms achieve low greenhouse gas emissions by producing high-quality crops and managing manure efficiently. The study provides a regional baseline for dairy farm emissions, offering opportunities for farmers to reduce emissions and increase productivity through sustainable practices.
Researchers developed a novel process for direct production of syngas via super-dry reforming of methane using solid oxide electrolysis cells. The system achieved high CH4 conversion and selectivity toward CO and H2, showcasing potential for CO2 utilization and renewable energy storage.
Scientists found that anaerobic microbes in wetlands can remove up to 70% of methane in oxygen-deprived soils, but their ability to do so is threatened by rising temperatures. When scientists simulated a hotter future, methane emissions spiked under hotter temperatures alone.
A new study by Dartmouth researchers lays out a scientific framework for tracing specific climate damages back to emissions from individual fossil fuel companies. The framework combines climate modeling with publicly available emissions data to provide robust emissions-based attributions of climate damages at the corporate scale.
Researchers at the University of Florida have created a new type of cattle feed that reduces methane gas emissions from burps and flatulence, making dairy farming more environmentally friendly. The feed, made with flaxseed and pea protein, also improves overall digestion and may increase milk production.
Virginia Tech aims to establish a hydrogen innovation hub using natural gas conversion technology, producing cleaner and more economically viable products. The project's goal is to reduce methane and carbon dioxide emissions by transforming potent greenhouse gases into less harmful high-value products.
A new study reveals China's NTEs were significant sources of CH₄ and N₂O emissions between 1980 and 2020, with an accumulated GWP of 5.55 Pg CO₂-equivalent. The net warming effect is primarily driven by N₂O emissions.
Researchers at the University of Surrey developed a cost-effective method for removing CO2 from the air and converting it into synthetic fuel. The Dual-Function Material (DFM) process has been shown to be financially competitive with established industry methods, offering a promising route to decarbonize industries.
A new study finds that global heating could exceed previous estimates, with even low emission scenarios leading to higher temperatures. The Paris Agreement's goal of limiting warming to 2°C may only be achievable under very low emissions and lower-than-estimated climate sensitivity.
Researchers at HKU have developed a photocatalytic approach to converting methane into ethanol, achieving an impressive apparent quantum efficiency of 9.4% and a methane conversion rate of 2.3%. This innovative method offers a highly desirable approach to decarbonising the chemical and fuel industries.
Researchers propose that microlightning in water droplets, rather than lightning strikes, sparked the formation of organic molecules with carbon-nitrogen bonds. This new mechanism suggests a more plausible explanation for the origin of life on Earth, overcoming criticisms of the Miller-Urey hypothesis.
A special issue of the Journal of Dairy Science provides detailed technical recommendations for developing and implementing feed additives to reduce methane emissions from ruminants. The guidelines cover testing, trial, and modeling phases to ensure efficacy and safety.
A new study reveals that rising methane emissions could significantly impact ozone recovery, particularly in polar regions. The research suggests a dual effect of methane, both contributing to global warming and affecting ozone levels.
Researchers at TU Wien have developed a process to recover nickel from spent batteries and convert it into a nanocatalyst that reduces CO2 into valuable methane. This innovation has the potential to reduce waste and provide a sustainable fuel source.
Researchers at SwRI and U-M have created a new methane flare burner using additive manufacturing and machine learning that eliminates 98% of methane vented during oil production. The burner's design, with a complex nozzle base and impeller, allows for efficient combustion even in challenging crosswind conditions.
Researchers have developed a method to observe quantum interference in surface collisions of methane molecules, revealing clear patterns of wave-like behavior that amplify or cancel out different pathways. This discovery confirms the active role of quantum mechanics in controlling molecular interactions at surfaces.
Researchers discovered that Arctic glaciers are leaking significant amounts of methane through the 'glacial fracking' process. This previously unrecognised process could contribute to Arctic climate feedbacks and accelerate global warming.
A new study finds that methane emissions are being underreported by at least 170 million to 3.3 billion tons of carbon over a decade, depending on the metric used. Companies may have underestimated their carbon footprint by as much as the annual carbon emissions of the UK in 2022.
A new study finds that reducing sulphur in the air can lead to increased natural emissions of methane from wetlands, pushing emissions higher. The study suggests that current targets to reduce human-caused methane emissions need to be more stringent.
Scientists have identified chemical compounds released by rice roots that determine how much methane the plants emit. A new strain of rice was bred using traditional breeding methods, resulting in yields of 8.96 tons/hectare while emitting up to 70% less methane.
Laboratory experiments corroborate the theory that Titan maintains its nitrogen-rich atmosphere through internal heating of organic materials. The study found significant amounts of carbon gases like methane and nitrogen, supporting the existence of a geologically short-lived atmosphere.
Researchers identified an unknown family of microbes uniquely adapted to tropical peatlands, with a dual role in the carbon cycle. These microbes can either stabilize or intensify climate change by releasing greenhouse gases like CO2 and methane.
Research reveals that coastal waters are hotspots for methane emissions, with tides, seasons, and ocean currents playing key roles in dynamics.
Researchers have developed a Zn-decorated GaN nanowire catalyst that efficiently converts CO2 and H2O into methane and hydrogen peroxide under light irradiation. The catalyst achieves high conversion rates with 93.6% selectivity and maintains activity for over 80 hours, providing a practical solution for sustainable fuel production.
Researchers developed a nano-heterostructure catalyst featuring MoS2-confined Rh-Zn atomic pairs, achieving high selectivity and productivity in photo-driven methane carbonylation. The catalyst enables efficient conversion of methane to acetic acid under mild conditions.
The university aims to improve operational efficiency, manage emissions, and build an inventory of methane emissions through three research projects. The efforts will also support workforce development and improve air quality in local communities.
Researchers from University of Gothenburg and Voice of the Ocean research foundation studied the impact of Nord Stream pipeline explosion on Baltic Sea. They found that methane gas spread to large parts of the southern Baltic Sea, affecting over 14% of the entire sea.
An international team of scientists mapped four unnamed underwater canyons and explored nearly 20 methane seep ecosystems off the Chilean coast. The expedition uncovered a dazzling array of creatures, including commercially valuable fish and potentially new species, in surprisingly diverse ecosystems.
Researchers discover surface chemistry unlike other centaurs on Chiron, with carbon dioxide and methane gases in its coma. The findings provide insight into the creation of our Solar System's origins and the unique processes producing Chiron's surface composition.
Researchers have developed copper nanoclusters that can precisely shape the reaction pathways in electrochemical CO₂ reduction, producing specific high-energy-density products. The team's discovery could drive the development of new functional materials and create a more sustainable future.
A new catalyst converts methane into polymers at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, making it easier to deploy at sites of methane production. The catalyst also enables the creation of sealants to heal cracks in natural gas pipes, potentially reducing methane leakage.
A research group at USTC found that γ rays can facilitate the conversion of aqueous-phase methane to diverse products, including hydrocarbons, oxygenated compounds, and amino acids like glycine. The reaction rate is contingent on free radical concentrations and does not significantly influence temperature.
A team of researchers from the LARS-IIAMA group used satellite technology to detect methane emissions in the palm oil industry in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Colombia. The study confirms that palm oil processing is a significant source of methane emissions, mainly due to anaerobic ponds.
Chemists at Ohio State University have developed a novel way to capture and convert carbon dioxide into methane, utilizing nickel-based catalysts and reducing the need for massive amounts of energy. This breakthrough could pave the way for more efficient climate mitigation technologies and help close the carbon cycle.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light create a novel laser system that can detect a wide variety of atmospheric compounds with minimal interference. The system's ability to target the short-wave infrared range and generate high-power, stable pulses enables unprecedented detection sensitivity and accuracy.
Researchers found that less than two percent of Dutch North Sea abandoned wells leak methane from shallow gas accumulations. The study alleviates concerns from earlier German research that suggested one-third of all wells would leak methane.
Rice researchers have created a catalyst that leverages plasmonic photocatalysis to break down methane and water vapor into hydrogen and carbon monoxide without external heating. The new catalyst system enables on-demand, emissions-free hydrogen production, which could transform the energy industry.
Research finds that gamma radiation can convert methane into glycine and other complex molecules, potentially playing a role in the origin of life. The study also reveals new strategies for industrial conversion of methane under mild conditions.
A new paper assesses current and potential measures to cut US methane emissions in the oil and gas sector, proposing a complimentary, cost-effective strategy using anaerobic digestion (AD) of organic waste. Building ADs could reduce emissions by 31.5%, exceeding the 30x30 goal.
A new NASA-led study finds that the Earth's far northern permafrost region has become a net contributor to global warming due to methane emissions. The thawing permafrost is releasing stored carbon as greenhouse gases, shifting the region from being a sink to a source of warming.
A new study by University of Southern Denmark researchers reveals that microbes cling to iron surfaces using sticky enzymes, extracting nutrients without wasting energy. This efficient corrosion method poses environmental concerns due to methane production and potential climate change implications.
Researchers discovered that Titan's icy surface is warmed by an insulating layer of methane clathrate ice, which relaxes the impact craters' shape. This finding helps explain Titan's unique hydrological cycle and climate.