The combustion mitigation of methane as a non-CO2 greenhouse gas

Abstract

Anthropogenic emissions of non-CO2 greenhouse gases such as fugitive methane contribute significantly to global warming. A review of fugitive methane combustion mitigation and utilisation technologies, which are primarily aimed at methane emissions from coal mining activities, with a focus on modelling and simulation of ultra-lean methane oxidation/combustion is presented. The challenges associated with ultra-lean methane oxidation are on the ignition of the ultra-lean mixture and sustainability of the combustion process. There is a lack of fundamental studies on chemical kinetics of ultra-lean methane combustion and reliable kinetic schemes that can be used together with computational fluid dynamics studies to design and develop advanced mitigation systems. Mitigation of methane as a greenhouse gas calls for more efforts on understanding ultra-lean combustion. Recuperative combustion provides a promising means for mitigating ultra-lean methane emissions. Progress is needed on effective methods to ignite and to recuperate and retain heat for oxidation/combustion of the ultra-lean mixtures. Catalysts can be very effective in reducing the temperatures required for oxidation while plasmas may be utilised to assist the ignition, but thermodynamic/aerodynamic limits of burning ultra-lean methane remain unexplored. Further technological developments may be focussed on developing innovative capturing technology as well as technological innovations to achieve effective ignition and sustainable oxidation/combustion.