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Evaluation of Methane Emissions in Daily Operations and Accidents: A Case Study of a Local Distribution Company in China

Author

Listed:
  • Yitong Xie

    (Gas Engineering Institute, School of Mechanical Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200000, China)

  • Chaokui Qin

    (Gas Engineering Institute, School of Mechanical Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200000, China)

  • Cong Wu

    (Gas Engineering Institute, School of Mechanical Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200000, China)

  • Lubing Zhang

    (Shanghai Shibei Gas Sales Corp., Shanghai 200000, China)

  • Ping Cao

    (Shanghai Shibei Gas Sales Corp., Shanghai 200000, China)

Abstract

As the second-largest contributor to historical global warming, methane emissions must be controlled to slow down temperature increase and achieve climate benefits. Due to a lack of knowledge about the specific sources and processes, a quantitative approach will lead to inaccurate estimation. In this paper, a typical local distribution company with more than 100 years of operation history was chosen. Detailed procedures of pipeline constructions and accidents were investigated, and critical steps leading to methane emissions were clarified. Then emission quantification methodologies for all processes were proposed, including a new pipeline connection, new regulator connection, emergency repair and third-party damages. As a basis for emission estimation, the distribution of parameters, such as diameter, length and pressure, was counted. Then the emission rates of all projects were calculated, and emission factors were established. The average emission rates of the new pipeline connection, new regulator connection, emergency repair, third-party damage (medium pressure) and third-party damage (low pressure) were 234 kg, 147 kg, 217 kg, 17,282 kg and 62 kg, respectively. In addition, the total methane emission in China from these sources was estimated to be about 5 × 10 4 t, which is large enough to attract attention. The work in this paper aims to establish a reasonable framework to evaluate venting methane emissions from the distribution process of natural gas.

Suggested Citation

  • Yitong Xie & Chaokui Qin & Cong Wu & Lubing Zhang & Ping Cao, 2023. "Evaluation of Methane Emissions in Daily Operations and Accidents: A Case Study of a Local Distribution Company in China," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-12, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:4:p:1582-:d:1058036
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