Natural Gas Reserves Research Articles

Determinants of the embodied CO2 transfers through electricity trade within China

There is unequal spatial distribution of resource endowment, population density, industrial structure, and economic development with diverse differences in labor, energy, and capital productivities in China. However, previous studies paid little attention to the determinants of CO2 transfers embodied in electricity trade. In this study, we use both the absolute and comparative advantage theories to reveal the determinants of embodied CO2 transfers through electricity trade within China. Results show that China's electricity sector has higher labor productivity but lower asset efficiency and energy productivity than that of mining and manufacturing sectors. The large-scale electricity trade alleviates the shortage of electricity supply in developed regions by outsourcing to the less-developed regions, reduces the unequal spatial distribution of coal and natural gas reserves, and changes CO2 flow embodied in power grid. Econometric analysis shows that coal reserve contributes to the increase of embodied CO2 emission, while natural gas reduces the embodied CO2 emission. The regional differences in the opportunity cost of labor productivity of non-electricity sector are the dominant factor of the embodied CO2 transfers through electricity trade within China, while asset efficiency and energy productivity are not significant in the regressions. Our findings could provide details about China's power grid expansion when confronting climate mitigation in the future.

The economic and environmental benefits of adopting natural gas in isolated systems of Amazonas state, Brazil

The Amazonas state in Brazil faces unique challenges regarding energy planning for its 95 isolated systems, which are remote areas not connected to the national power grid and primarily rely on diesel to generate electricity. These challenges include dense forests, low population density, low overall energy demands, and restrictions on transporting oil derivatives via waterways. However, the discovery of onshore reserves of natural gas in the state and investments in infrastructure, such as the construction of gas pipelines, have provided an opportunity to replace diesel with this cleaner and more cost-effective energy source. This study aims to assess the feasibility of completely replacing diesel-powered generators with natural gas in 14 isolated systems located near the Urucu-Manaus gas pipeline, as well as the Azulão and Japiim production fields. The methodology employed in this study aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of the economic and environmental impact of transitioning from diesel to natural gas in isolated systems. This assessment focuses on two key topics: fuel costs and CO2 emissions resulting from electricity generation. The analysis results indicate that transitioning from diesel to natural gas can bring significant economic and environmental benefits. The switch to natural gas would reduce fuel costs by more than 40% and decrease CO2 emissions from combustion (in one case, 39.6% and in other cities, between 16.75% and 27.10%), promoting savings for additional investments in efficiency and sustainability. Implementing these changes makes it possible to achieve a better quality of life for citizens in isolated communities by providing access to a more reliable and sustainable energy source.

Analysis of methods for improving the efficiency of “Iceberg” gas air coolers

Russia has the largest volume of natural gas reserves in the world. Recoverable natural gas reserves amount to about 67 trillion cubic meters, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation for 2023. In recent years, the development of the Unified Gas Supply System has been growing rapidly. Since 2021 the Government of the Russian Federation has been actively introducing draft laws and regulations related to the scaling of the country’s gasification. In June 2021 came out the Federal Law No. 184-FZ, which instructed the Government of the Russian Federation to adopt regulations aimed at implementation of provisions of free gasification of the country [1]. In September 2021 there was issued Decree No. 1547, [2] approving the new Rules for connecting gas-using equipment and capital construction facilities to gas distribution networks, which introduces the concept of pre-gasification. It is worth noting that new gas mains, compressor stations (CS) are put into operation, active reconstruction of the existing shops with exhausted gas compressor units (GCU) is carried out. One of the most urgent issues of the gas industry today is the efficient use of energy resources. Besides using the energy of flue gases from gas turbine drive of GPA, energy at gas throttling at gas distribution stations and other methods of energy saving, the significant role is played by the effective operation of air coolers of gas (ACG), the operation of which affects the reliable transportation of gas in the main gas pipeline (MG). The paper analyzes the methods of technical condition of gas air cooling devices of “Iceberg” type operated at the production site of the booster compressor station of “Gazprom Dobycha Nadym” LLC. The thermal efficiency of air coolers with all fans turned on and off was determined for the coldest and hottest months of the year. The electric energy savings of the frequency controlled drive (VFD) were calculated.

Еconomic development of the United Republic of Tanzania

Achieving balanced economic growth is one of the priorities of governments in developing countries. This is especially relevant for certain African countries that have such characteristics as a favorable geographical location and considerable demographic resource. The policy of the United Republic of Tanzania is an example of successful strategy, since the country not only demonstrates a dynamic growth of GDP, but also competes for regional leadership with neighboring Kenya. The object is the economic policy of Tanzania, while the subject is represented by national interests, resources, and the tools of management of processes of national economic growth. Because of this the article aims at establishing comparative advantages of Tanzania and the peculiarities of its economic advancement. The system approach is used in the article, since it analyzes the economic policy as the set of elements that interact with each other. It was found that Tanzania is a strategic player in East Africa in terms of logistics that at the same time enjoys an appropriate tourism potential, represented by Mount Kilimanjaro, the national parks of international importance, and the popular islands in the Indian Ocean. The basis of the national economic strategy is the focus on transport and tourist services, which can be considered rather unusual for the African continent. At the same time, Tanzania is trying to effectively use its opportunities in the fields of agriculture and mining industry and is also actively developing transport infrastructure in order to become a logistics hub in the region. Moreover, the country is taking steps to exploit the commercial reserves of oil and natural gas. Tanzania’s foreign economic ties play an important role. This state actor has Chinese orientation since Beijing is its main trading partner and a major investor in infrastructure projects. Tanzanian political elite is also actively diversifying its contacts by deepening the cooperation with Türkiye. The complex of these factors helps to ensure balanced economic development, as well as to gain certain advantages in the competition with Kenya for the leadership in the East African region.

Development of Large-Scale Tight Gas Sandstone Reservoirs and Recommendations for Stable Production—The Example of the Sulige Gas Field in the Ordos Basin

The natural gas reserves and gas recovery rate of tight gas sandstone reservoirs in the Sulige gas field in the Ordos Basin play a crucial role in China’s natural gas industry. This study aims to enhance the stable production time of the gas field by summarizing the geological characteristics of the tight gas sandstone reservoirs in the Sulige gas field, discussing the challenges in the development of the gas field, and providing recommendations for the development of the reservoirs. The results show that the matrix reservoir properties, effective sand body size, and gas-bearing properties of tight sandstone gas reservoirs in the Sulige gas field exhibit strong heterogeneity characteristics, and the western and northern parts of the basin edge are gas-water mixed storage areas. There are obvious differences in gas well production, cumulative production, production decline rate, and single well dynamic control reserves in different regions. The recovery of gas reservoirs is primarily influenced by reservoir quality and development well pattern. Increasing the well density increases from 1.5/km2 to 4/km2 in the gas field enrichment area, can raise the corresponding recovery rate from 26.0% to about 50% under the existing economic and technical conditions. Therefore, ensuring a stable production of the tight gas sandstone reservoirs in this gas field is challenging. To achieve a long-term stable production of the gas field, it is necessary to promote the refined reservoir description technology and improve the production through various measures such as replenishing fractures in wells with depleted fractures, sidetracking horizontal wells, and re-fracturing, thereby improving the reserve utilization degree. Moreover, implementing the negative pressure gas recovery technology as soon as possible can restore the production capacity of near-depletion wells.

The effect of sectoral natural gas consumption on economic growth: a study of Turkey.

Turkey, which is among the developing countries, is highly dependent on foreign energy. This dependency creates a great burden on the country's economy. In recent years, Turkey has increased its hydrocarbon exploration in the seas in order to ensure energy supply security and to get rid of this burden on its economy. As a result of these exploration activities, Turkey announced that it discovered a natural gas reserve of 540 billion m3 in 2020. This study aimed to guide decision makers in the use of this discovered natural gas. To this end, this paper was examined the relationship between sectoral natural gas consumption and economic growth for Turkey in a multivariate model wherein capital and labour are included as additional variables. Using the annual data for the period 1988-2020, long- and short-run relationships were examined with the autoregressive distributed lag bound testing approach. According to the long-term findings, increases in natural gas consumption in all examined sectors encourage economic growth in Turkey. It has been determined that natural gas consumption in the industrial sector provides the greatest contribution to Turkey's economic growth. In the long run, a 1% increase in the natural gas consumption of the industrial sector increases the economic growth by 0.190%. On the other hand, it was noted that a 1% increase in natural gas consumption in the conversion sector increased growth by 0.134%, while a 1% increase in housing natural gas consumption increased by 0.072%. In line with the findings obtained, policymakers in the Turkish government are advised to substitute the natural gas used in the conversion sector with renewable energy sources and to use the discovered natural gas reserve for heating purposes in housings, in order to have long-run growth rates.

Prospects of Bioethanol from Agricultural Residues in Bangladesh

Bangladesh is a middle-income country. With the development of the industrial and agricultural sectors, the demand for petroleum-based fuels in the transport sector has been steadily growing. Diesel, petrol, octane (C8H18), liquid petroleum gas (LPG), and compressed natural gas are mainly used as fuels in the transportation sectors of Bangladesh. The government imports LPG as well as refined, crude, and furnace oil from abroad to meet the country’s growing energy demand. Apart from that, Bangladesh has a shortage of natural gas reserves, which is a great concern. As a result, it is essential to find and use renewable fuel sources. Since Bangladesh is an agricultural country, bioethanol could be the best alternative fuel generated from agricultural residues and waste. Every year, a large amount of agricultural residue is generated in this country, from which a vast amount of bioethanol could be produced. Bioethanol derived from agricultural residue and waste can reduce dependency on fossil resources, reduce fossil fuel’s environmental impact, and improve engine performance. This article comprehensively reviews the bioethanol production potential from agricultural residues and investigates the opportunities and possibilities in Bangladesh. The research outcomes reveal that in the fiscal year 2019–2020, approximately 46.5 million tons of agricultural residue were generated from the available major crops, from which about 19.325 GL (gigalitres) of bioethanol could be generated. This current study also investigates the practical methods of bioethanol production from different agricultural feedstocks and identifies the challenges related to bioethanol production in Bangladesh.

Sedimentary control on diagenetic paths of dolomite reservoirs in a volcanic setting: A case study of the Permian Chihsia Formation in the Sichuan Basin, China

The formation mechanisms of multi-stage dolomites and hydrocarbon reservoirs associated with volcanic activity are complex. This study investigated the Permian Chihsia Formation in the Sichuan Basin, China, which is the location of recent discoveries of giant natural gas reserves. We undertook a petrological and geochemical study, including trace element and C–O–Sr isotopic analysis. The quality of the dolomite reservoirs associated with volcanic activity was controlled by different diagenetic pathways associated with the sediment types and fault systems. Outcrop, core, and thin-section observations identified three types of replacement dolomite: very finely to finely crystalline dolomite (Rd1), medium crystalline patchy dolomite (Rd2), and coarsely to medium crystalline dolomite (Rd3). The tidal flat sediments only experienced limited seepage reflux dolomitization, which resulted in the formation of the dense very finely to finely crystalline dolomite (Rd1). The bioclastic grain shoal sediments deposited in a high-energy shallow-water environment contain abundant intergranular and dissolution pores, and vugs, which allowed convection of seawater and dolomitization during the initial phases of volcanic activity of the late early Permian. Subsequently, the bioclastic grain shoal sediments were mostly replaced by coarsely to medium crystalline dolomite (Rd3), which formed the highest-quality reservoirs in the study area. In addition, the incompletely dolomitized medium crystalline patchy dolomite (Rd2) was formed due to the low original porosity of micritic, peloidal, grain shoal sediments during a transgression in the middle and late depositional stages. During the peak of volcanism at the end-Guadalupian, deep faults allowed seawater to mix with ascending hydrothermal fluids, which resulted in the precipitation of dolomite cement in pores near the fault fracture zones, which blocked the pores. Therefore, these high-energy shoal sediments deposited in the slope break zone far from strike-slip faults have a relatively high porosity. Our results provide new insights into the origin of dolomite reservoirs formed in association with a volcanic setting, and are applicable to deep dolomite reservoirs worldwide.

Comparisons between direct and embodied natural gas networks: Topology, dependency and vulnerability

Natural gas was a type of alternative energy resources in the short and medium term to maintain energy consumption worldwide. Combining multi-regional input-output analysis and complex network modelling, this study examined the spatial-temporal evolution and topological structures of multi-layer natural gas networks, analyzed the network characteristics of different countries/regions, and tested the network robustness and vulnerability between direct natural gas trade network and embodied natural gas transfer network. From the results, the direct natural gas trade network was relatively flatter, while the embodied natural gas transfer network was more concentrated in core countries/regions. Moreover, the countries with natural gas reserves and highly industrialized levels occupied high statuses in the direct natural gas trade network, whereas the highly industrialized countries occupied the core position in the embodied natural gas transfer network. Among the two disturbance scenarios, both direct and embodied natural gas networks were more vulnerable under deliberate assault than under random failure, however, the direct trade network is easier to collapse compared with the embodied transfer network under deliberate assault. By constructing multi-layer natural gas networks from both direct and embodied perspectives, this study attempts to provide practical implications and suggestions toward sustainable natural gas network management worldwide.

Evaluation of high-tensile steel using nonlinear analysis: Experiment-FE materials benchmarking of LNG carrier structures under low-temperature conditions

Natural gas is the cleanest energy source compared to other fossil fuels. When the temperature is between −160 ºC to −164 ºC at atmospheric pressure, natural gas will be in liquid form, commonly called Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). Currently, the demand for the availability of natural gas is increasing rapidly. However, not all countries have natural gas reserves. In this case, ships transport Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) between continents and oceans to meet global needs. Since the Northern Sea Route (NSR) was opened, the route has become an alternative route where ships can save fuel because the distance is closer than the standard route (through the Suez Canal). However, because this route is in the Arctic region, which has a harsh environment, the ship may experience a structural failure, resulting in an accident and possibly causing material, human or other casualties. This paper employed the finite element method to observe the materials used as raw materials for the structure of natural gas shipping vessels. High tensile steel grade AH 32 was tested for tensile using numerical analysis. The temperature varied from room to shallow temperature (−160 ºC). Besides that, the mesh sizes used were 1 mm, 2 mm, 4 mm, 6 mm, 8 mm, and 10 mm to produce outcomes that are most similar to earlier research assessed via experimental testing. The result obtained was that the mechanical properties of AH 32 steel will change significantly at shallow temperatures, which can be observed from the engineering stress–strain graph. High tensile steel grade AH 32 becomes very brittle at −160 ºC. Besides that, the necking phenomenon, as in the experimental test, can also be observed through numerical analysis.

RESOLUSI KONFLIK ZONA EKONOMI EKSLUSIF INDONESIA DAN VIETNAM DALAM PENGAMANAN SUMBER DAYA MARITIM NATUNA UTARA

North Natuna is one part of the territorial waters of Indonesia which is very rich in resources. According to the applicable jurisdiction based on Law Number 17 of 1985 concerning the 1982 UNCLOS Ratification, North Natuna which has been proven to have the largest natural gas reserves in the Asia Pacific, is an inseparable part of Indonesia's EEZ. However, the 1982 ratification of UNCLOS in another country, namely Vietnam, also provides a similar explanation, that geographically North Natuna is its territory. This difference in conception has resulted in many incidents, from confrontations between law enforcement officers from the two countries, the capture of Vietnamese fishermen and the sinking of ships by the Indonesian authorities, to the complexity of the negotiation process between the two countries. In the midst of these problems, the governments of the two countries must make quick efforts in the face of growing external pressure, namely China's Nine Dash Line claims, as well as the need to use North Natuna itself. Using a juridical-normative research pattern, this paper attempts to unravel the 1982 UNCLOS provisions in conflict resolution and their relevance to Indonesia's strategy in resolving the EEZ dispute case with Vietnam in North Natuna.

The state project for the development of Western Siberia (second half of the 20th century): facts, dates, names

The development of Western Siberia is one of the most large-scale scientific and production and socio-economic projects of the country in the 20th century. The state approach, scientific justification, production of necessary equipment, organization of transport and geological exploration work were linked into a single complex project of Union scale. Main Department of oil and gas exploration was organized in the Ministry of geology of USSR, and on January 15, 1948 there was signed an order on organization of the first oil exploratory expedition in Tyumen. In January 1950, the Scientific and Technical Council of the Ministry of Geology of the USSR adopted a master plan for the study and development of the West Siberian plate, including the placement on its territory of 26 anchor wells, regional seismic profiles, and carrying out prospecting in the area of anchor wells. As a result, gas fields were discovered in the Berezovsky area, and a few years later, Shaimskoye, Megionskoye, and Ust-Balykskoye oil fields were discovered. Efficient organization of works and state approach enabled to discover in a short time large oil reserves in Shirochnoye Priobie and unique natural gas reserves in the north of Western Siberia. In December 1963, a special Resolution of the USSR Council of Ministers was adopted to prepare for pilot production of the fields, to create an infrastructure for the development of geology and oil production, as well as scientific research and industrial institutes. The achievements of geologists provided the necessary basis for the creation of the largest fuel and energy complex. Social and economic development of the region and the country as a whole was associated with it.

Hydrothermal silicification in Ediacaran Dengying Formation fourth member deep dolomite reservoir, Central Sichuan Basin, China: Implications for reservoir quality

The Ediacaran Dengying Formation fourth member in Central Sichuan Basin is the deep dolomite gas reservoir with the largest natural gas reserves in China, providing an excellent example for understanding the effect of hydrothermal silicification on deep dolomite reservoir quality. By integrating petrology, geochemistry and physical property measurement, this study aims to reveal the genesis of different quartz phase and their corresponding diagenetic events, and to discuss the temporal relationship of diagenetic events and their effects on the quality of deep dolomite reservoir in Dengying fourth member. Three phases of quartz cement are identified in Ediacaran Dengying Formation deep dolomite reservoirs of Central Sichuan Basin as follows: (1) first‐stage quartz filled in primary reservoir spaces, (2) second‐stage quartz mainly filled in secondary reservoir spaces, and (3) third‐stage quartz filled in secondary reservoir spaces with Mississippi Valley‐Type minerals. By analysing petrographic and temporal relationships between these fabrics, it is suggested that the first‐stage quartz precipitated during the syndiagenetic stage, the second‐stage quartz precipitated during middle diagenetic stage, and the third‐stage quartz precipitated during middle diagenetic stage as well. Silicification during syndiagenetic stage is characterized by replacement of cryptocrystalline quartz and cementation of first‐stage quartz within matrix dolomite (MD). After syndiagenetic silicification, the mineral composition of the MD changed from magnesium calcium carbonate to silica, and the later constructive diagenetic alterations were almost ineffective. The distribution of syndiagenetic silicification during syndiagenetic stage gradually decreases from the platform‐interior to the platform‐margin. The second‐stage and third‐stage quartz cements, derived from two‐stage hydrothermal silicification in the middle stage, are both destructive for reservoir preservation. This study, combined with coeval vapour–liquid inclusions Th data and thermal‐burial models, constrains the time of the second‐stage quartz to ca. 403–408 Ma, suggesting an hydrothermal silicification related to the Caledonian movement. The time of the third‐stage quartz cement is constrained to ca. 259.4 Ma, associated with Late Permian eruption of Emeishan flood basalts.

A new model for evaluating rock drillability considering the rock plasticity and chip hold down effect caused by hydrostatic column pressure under high confining pressure

The Yingqiong Basin in the northern part of the South China Sea is a region with large natural gas reserves. However, the high formation pressure and hydrostatic column pressure of the extra-thick mudstone section in this area present significant challenges to drilling operations. The mudstone has high plasticity and is very hard, and its thickness accounts for only 40% of the total footage, which results in pure drilling time accounting for over 75% of the total drilling time. To accelerate the rate of penetration (ROP) in this area, this study investigates the rock mechanics characteristics of mudstone under high confining pressure through experimental methods. The study reveals that the strength of the mudstone increases rapidly with increasing confining pressure, and the critical transformation stress of bottom-hole mudstone is around 45 MPa. Moreover, a cylindrical-cutter micro bit was developed, and the drillability of mudstone was tested under high confining pressure and hydrostatic column pressure, which further confirms that 45 MPa is the critical stress for a sudden increase in mudstone's drillability. Based on multiple regression analysis, the acoustic interval transit time, hydrostatic column pressure, and argillaceous content were identified as strong correlation parameters for the drillability of plastic mudstones. A new model for evaluating rock drillability considering rock plasticity and chip hold down effect caused by hydrostatic column pressure was developed, which provides effective guidance for the optimal design of bits and drilling fluid density in the extra-thick mudstone formations of the Yingqiong Basin. This study provides theoretical and technical support for the economic and efficient development of high-pressure gas fields in this area.

Plasma catalytic non-oxidative methane conversion to hydrogen and value-added hydrocarbons on zeolite 13X

Non-thermal plasma has unfolded highly efficient, safe to operate novel routes for methane conversion to hydrogen. In this work, methane conversion is performed under atmospheric dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma with and without 13X zeolite-based catalysts i.e., 13X, Ga/13X, Pd/13X, and Pd-Ga/13X. Experimental results indicate that the plasma catalytic process delivered almost twofold higher product yield than the plasma only route. The binary Pd-Ga catalyst possesses highest catalytic performance with about 40 % CH4 conversion at an input flowrate of 5 cm3min−1 and 2 W due to the formation of the Pd-Ga alloy, which acts as catalytic active centre for activating C–H bonds. Product yield can be tailored by the catalyst design where the bimetallic Pd-Ga/13X preferably favours the hydrocarbon formation while H2 is the dominant product obtained over the Pd/13X. The cleavage of C–H bonds of methane molecule over the plasma only route is mainly governed by energetic electrons in the gaseous phase the catalyst activity, and plasma-catalyst synergism play a significant role in the plasma catalysis process. The findings from this work provide significant insights into the methane activation for subsequent optimization of the methane conversion processes operated on floating production, storage, and offloading vessels (FPSOVs). Exploiting untapped offshore natural gas reserves, where conventional pipeline systems are less economical.

The Future and Prospects of Natural Gas Industry in Iraq: An Exploratory Study

This paper aims to explore the future of the natural gas industry in Iraq. The study uses an exploratory approach to determine the expected prospects for natural gas production in Iraq in light of the huge waste of natural gas reserves. Iraq is considered one of the countries that have natural gas reserves, most of which are associated gas, with an accompanying amount of approximately 70%, and it was and still is not able to optimally use this promising fuel economically, as much of it is now burned. But the attention given by the Ministry of Oil in reducing this waste is beginning to bear fruit, but it is in its initial stages and it is expected that Iraq will enter the global natural gas market in the foreseeable future, and this development limits harmful emissions due to the continuous burning of associated gas and the promotion of electricity by providing fuel This is not to mention the revenues it generates for the economy by providing hard currency for the state budget, providing fuel for the industrial sector, especially petrochemicals, fertilizers, iron and steel, and providing job opportunities for the workforce.

The development of Western Siberia is a state scale project of the second half of the 20th century

The development of Western Siberia is one of the most large-scale scientific, industrial and socio-economic projects of the country in the 20th century. The state approach, scientific substantiation, production of the necessary equipment, organization of transport and exploration work were linked into a single integrated state project. As part of the USSR Ministry of Geology, the Main Directorate for Oil and Gas Exploration was created, and on January 15, 1948, an order was signed to organize the first oil exploration expedition in Tyumen. In January 1950, the Scientific and Technical Council of the USSR Ministry of Geology adopted a master plan for the study and development of the West Siberian Plate, including the placement of 26 reference wells, regional seismic profiles and prospecting in the area of ​​reference wells on its territory. As a result, the gas fields of the Berezovskiy region and the Shaimskoe, Megionskoe and Ust’-Balykskoe oil fields were discovered. Efficient organization of work and the state approach made it possible to discover large oil reserves in the Shirotny Ob region and unique natural gas reserves in the north of Western Siberia in a short time. In December 1963, a special resolution of the Council of Ministers of the USSR on preparation for the trial operation of deposits, on the creation of infrastructure for the development of geology and oil production, research and industrial institutes was adopted. Achievements of geologists have provided the necessary basis for the creation of the largest fuel and energy complex. It was associated with the social and economic development of the region and the country

Ecological Footprint of Energy Consumption in Ijebu Ode, Nigeria

Notwithstanding overwhelming evidence that shows how unsustainable energy consumption contributes to our already rising ecological footprint (EF), the situation is mostly unchanged worldwide, especially in developing countries with poor equipment for efficient energy generation, with a growing threat of global warming due to unsustainable energy consumption and its disastrous environmental effects. Therefore, this study sought to analyze the ecological footprint of energy consumption in Ijebu Ode. A descriptive cross-sectional method was employed, and primary data were sourced from systemically sampled 400 households using structured questionnaires, analyzed descriptively using Microsoft Excel, and inferentially using the ecological footprint mathematical model. Findings revealed the overall EF of energy consumption in Ijebu Ode at 0.07 gha/capita, constituting about 6.7% of the city EF share, with electricity having the major share (0.04 gha; 51.9%), followed by gas with a footprint of 0.02 gha (26%). The lowest of the energy footprints were kerosine, charcoal, and firewood, with 0.003 gha (3.9%), 0.002 gha (2.6%), and 0.001 gha (1.3%), respectively. Thus, we conclude that Ijebu Ode has sustainable energy consumption, and therefore calls for practical policy directives aimed at improving our natural gas distribution potential to facilitate household availability and affordability in light of our reputation as the highest natural gas reserve holder in Africa.

Copolyimide asymmetric hollow fiber membranes for high‐pressure natural gas purification

AbstractThe current process to purify contaminated natural gas reserves employs a highly energy‐intensive amine scrubbing technology. To satisfy the growing demand for natural gas coupled with the tight regulations on CO2 emissions, researchers worldwide are investigating the use of polymeric membranes for acid gas removal from natural gas streams, to reduce the energy consumption and carbon emission of the nowadays used technology. Placing a polymeric membrane unit at the upstream of the amine scrubbing column reduces the energy consumption during the regeneration process of saturated amines. Hence, the preparation of polymeric membranes in form of hollow fibers is a key step towards their industrial implementation for natural gas processing. The following study demonstrates the potential separation performance of 6FDA‐Durene/6FDA‐CARDO (5000:5000) in an integrally skinned defect‐free asymmetric hollow fiber geometry. The initial screening studies of the membrane shows good pure‐gas performance as it exhibits CO2/CH4 selectivity coefficients around 28 and CO2 permeance between 310 and 350 GPU. Feed pressures of up to 900 psig and stage cuts ranging from 5% to 20% were tested for a quaternary sweet mixed‐gas feed to assess the membrane performance under operating conditions that mimic those in industrial settings. Mixed‐gas permeance of all gases, and CO2/CH4 selectivity remain somewhat constant as the feed pressure increases up to 900 psig. Both mixed‐gas CO2 permeance and CO2/CH4 selectivity decline as the stage cut increases. As expected, as CO2 recovery is maximized, CO2 purity is minimized and CH4 loss increases with increasing stage cut. As a result of the trade‐off between recovery and purity, the data and analyses reported herein can provide insights into the limitations that certain operating parameters can pose on CO2 separation performance with similar polymeric hollow fiber membranes.

Multi-objective decision making of natural gas distribution optimization considering clean heating——evidence from Beijing

ABSTRACT Since the implementation of China’s clean heating plan in 2017, the progress of natural gas replacing coal for heating is still not ideal. With the proposal of the goal of carbon neutralization and the impact of international war, the price, supply, and demand of natural gas have attracted attention. In case of gas shortage, reasonable schemes are required to be allocated to different industries and categories. Therefore, this research divides the gas field into four levels according to the social utility, and establishes the multi-objective distribution optimization model considering the social and economic benefits. The solution of the model is based on genetic algorithm and realized on MATLAB. Multi-objective optimization strategies and several constraints are used to make the algorithm’s process of the search is continuously moving closer to the Pareto optimal front. Taking Beijing as an example, two scenarios are set to simulate and optimize, so as to verify the optimization effect of the model. Better quantitative results are created after reallocation of natural gas. The ideal scenario realizes 5.64% more social benefits than 2019 through additional allocation of 117.288 million cubic meters of reserve gas. The constraint scenario creates 0.67% more socialbenefits with only 0.07% decrease of the economic benefits. The conclusions show that allocating more gas to three main industries can improve the optimization effect and it is necessary to expand the supply of natural gas reserve volume. This paper provides a new perspective of natural gas allocation category and priority, providing theoretical and practical ideas for the planning of natural gas security emergency plan and the development of gas sales plan.