Project Info

Methane Emissions Management – A Global Study of Detection, Regulation, and Abatement

Linda Battalora
LBattalo@mines.edu

Project Goals and Description:

Methane emissions management is a critical component of national and global Climate Policy.  To date there is no standardization for detection of fugitive emissions and no synergistic or plan for abatement of them.  The need exists to raise awareness of the impact of methane emissions on Climate Change and Health, Safety, Environment, and Sustainability and to find practical, sustainable solutions.  This project explores the following components of this global problem:

  1. Methane Emissions and Climate Change
  2. Methane Emissions Regulation
  3. Methane Emissions Measurement
  4. Methane Emissions Reporting
  5. Abatement challenges and opportunities
  6. Next generation solutions
  7. Health, Safety, Environment and Sustainability
This project is interesting, timely and practical.  It introduces the student to a global problem, Methane Emissions and Climate Change, through topics of science, engineering, technology, regulatory frameworks, and social performance.

More Information:

Grand Challenge: Advance personalized learning.

The White House Office of Domestic Climate Policy, “U.S. Methane Emissions Reduction Plan”

https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/US-Methane-Emissions-Reduction-Action-Plan-1.pdf

World Bank, “World Bank is Leading the Effort on Methane Emission Reduction with Impactful Projects and Initiatives”

https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/factsheet/2022/09/19/world-bank-group-is-leading-the-effort-on-methane-emissions-reduction-with-impactful-projects-and-initiatives

United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, “Managing Methane for a Better Climate”

https://unece.org/unece-and-sdgs/managing-methane-better-climate

IPIECA and the Methane Guiding Principles

https://www.ipieca.org/work/climate/emissions-management/ipieca-and-the-methane-guiding-principles

Curbing methane emissions: How five industries can counter a major climate threat

https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/sustainability/our-insights/curbing-methane-emissions-how-five-industries-can-counter-a-major-climate-threat

Methane emissions from wastewater management

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11504340/

Methane abatement technologies

https://www.iea.org/fuels-and-technologies/methane-abatement

Primary Contacts:

Dr. Linda A. Batttalora Email:  LBattalo@mines.edu

Student Preparation

Qualifications

Student researcher should have good research and writing skills or seek to improve existing skills.

Student researcher will use the Mines Library databases, internet, personal interviews, corporate communications, and regulatory frameworks to investigate the research questions.  Additionally, students will improve their writing and presentation skills and seek further improvement through consultation with the Mines Writing Center.

TIME COMMITMENT (HRS/WK)

3-4 hours per week

SKILLS/TECHNIQUES GAINED

  • Research, technical writing, and presentation skills
  • Ability to formulate research questions to investigate a global problem that requires an immediate solution through synergistic efforts from all Nations
  • Synthesis of research into a technical report
  • Interconnection of science, engineering and technology topics with issues of Health, Safety, Environment and Sustainability

MENTORING PLAN

Mentoring will include weekly meetings to discuss work to be done and finalization of deliverables until completion of the project.

PREFERRED STUDENT STATUS

Sophomore
Junior
Senior
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