Catalytic combustion for reduction of fugitive methane emissions from natural gas compressor stations

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the work undertaken to develop methods for destroying dilute methane streams that originate from natural gas compressor stations, including seal and other fugitive leaks. Fugitive methane emissions in the oil and gas sector are a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Among the primary GHG of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrogen oxides (N2O), the main contribution to global warming is made by CO2 (about 64%), with the next largest contribution made by methane. Sources of methane emissions include leaks in natural gas pipelines and compressor stations, and upstream oil and gas production facilities, especially from solution gas in heavy oil production. Methane emissions can be broadly labeled into (a) concentrated emissions (e.g. solution gas, instrument vent gas), where the stream is essentially natural gas, and (b) dilute emissions, where the stream is available as a mixture of usually less than 1% v/v natural gas in air.