Methane Emission Reduction Technologies for Natural Gas Engines: A Review

Andrew Huonder () and Daniel Olsen
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Andrew Huonder: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
Daniel Olsen: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 20, 1-18

Abstract: This review summarizes technologies to reduce methane emissions from natural gas engines with a focus on exhaust treatment. As regulations on methane emissions from natural gas facilities become more restrictive, methane emission reduction technologies become increasingly important. Methane is the second most prevalent human-generated greenhouse gas. In 2020, 197,000 metric tons of methane were released as a result of methane slip. In-cylinder methods such as optimized valve timing and crevice volume reduction are effective in reducing methane slip. Exhaust treatment methods such as catalytic oxidizers and regenerative thermal oxidizers can achieve near 100% methane reduction under certain conditions. Implementation of hydrogen blending and exhaust gas recirculation systems results in a decrease in methane emissions of between 20 and 30%. Future research should focus on testing full-scale catalytic oxidation systems on lean-burn natural gas engines. Research should also focus on implementing regenerative thermal oxidizers on natural gas engines, as well as combining hydrogen blending with these techniques.

Keywords: methane emissions; natural gas engines; catalytic oxidation; regenerative thermal oxidation; hydrogen blending (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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