Portable methane/ethane analyzer system for civil and environmental engineering and earth sciences

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Methane is a potent greenhouse gas (GHG) with a global warming potential 34 times larger than carbon dioxide over a 100-year time horizon. There are many sources of methane and these sources can be differentiated using geochemical evidence such as ethane and isotopes of methane. Source attribution is critical for accurate GHG emissions inventories, effective GHG emission reduction strategies, air quality improvement, and groundwater protection across Canada and elsewhere. We are requesting a portable methane, ethane, carbon dioxide, and d13C-CH4 analyzer system to support several research programs that investigate methane emissions from oil and gas systems, wastewater treatment and sewers, and natural environments.******The requested mobile methane/ethane system is urgently needed for the applicants' NSERC-funded and other research projects, which fall under three themes.***(1) Oil and gas systems are the largest anthropogenic emitter of methane in Canada and many other oil-and-gas-producing countries. Mitigating methane emissions from oil and gas systems is a top priority for Canada. For mitigation, it is essential to identify the source of emissions and the measurement of ethane provides this important capability.***(2) Cities are the largest source of GHG emissions in the world. Natural gas distribution, landfills, and wastewater transport and treatment are the main urban methane emission sources in Canada and elsewhere. Many urban methane emission sources are co-located and thus, it is critical to measure ethane to identify and reduce emissions. ***(3) Methane may be increasingly emitted from permafrost environments, lakes, peatlands and wetlands in a warming climate. The requested system is needed to understand the processes controlling these emissions. For example, methane/ethane ratios can determine whether thermogenic methane emissions are widespread in permafrost environments, which represent 40-50% of land in Canada.******The requested system provides the unique capability of simultaneous measurements of methane emissions and source attribution and high portability, which is particularly useful in field studies. With a measurement frequency of ~1 Hz, a large number of samples can be measured quickly and easily in field. Therefore, the requested instrument will allow all applicants to explore new questions requiring data at finer spatial and temporal scales over a wide geographical extent. ******The results from the use of the requested instruments will expand science and engineering knowledge on methane emissions quantification and mitigation and contribute to Canadian leadership in this timely research area. Furthermore, the research activities provide improved understanding of environmental impacts and methane emissions inventories and basis for development of new mitigation solutions. Therefore, the results are essential for industry, researchers, and policymakers at municipal, provincial, and federal levels in Canada and elsewhere. ********