The NIFTy Sensor for Methane Leak Detection Study: FY22 Climate Initiative Technical Investment Program
Abstract
Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas, roughly 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide in heat-trapping capacity. It is receiving significant attention because reducing methane emissions offers a near-term way to reduce the overall atmospheric greenhouse gas load: a significant fraction of methane input into the atmosphere is anthropogenic, and the lifetime of methane in the atmosphere is relatively short, about nine years. Therefore, reducing the release of methane can be a high-impact path that countries can pursue to meet their commitments to greenhouse-gas reduction. This fact is leading to new regulations on the oil and gas industry as to what levels of natural gas leaks must be searched for and mitigated. In addition, there is renewed attention to increasing our understanding of the worldwide abundance of methane in the atmosphere and, consequently, to better measuring the various natural and manmade sources and sinks. The Climate Initiative-funded FY2022 Methane Study was set up to explore how unique Lincoln Laboratory technology could support methane detection, both for global measurements to support better modeling of climate change, and for wide-area leak detection to support mitigation efforts.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 16, 2023
- Accession Number
- AD1196447
Entities
People
- Charles A. Primmerman
- George W. Ni
- Jonathan B. Ashcom
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology