Measurement of Methane Emissions in the Plume of a Large Surface Coal Mine UsingOpen-Path FTIR Spectroscopy

摘要

The paper gives results of a portion of an overall study to: (1) develop amethane measurements methodology and protocol that can be used at large surface mining operations, (2) conduct a field trial of this methodology and protocol and identify methodology modifications that are warranted based on field trial results, and (3) estimate the total emissions from the mine where the field trial was conducted. Specifically, the paper describes results of a study to develop a measurements methodology for surface mines and to field test the methodology at an actual surface mine. The research conducted to examine alternative measurements approaches and to develop the methodology and protocol is described first. A brief discussion of the preliminary results from the field trial is also presented. Emissions from a variety of human activities may be contributing to the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide and other trace gases such as methane, nitrous oxide, and chlorofluorocarbons are among the greenhouse gases that have been identified as contributing to global climate change phenomena. The significance of methane as a greenhouse gas is a relatively recent concern. Current global emission estimates indicate that coal mining contributes 25-45 Tg of methane per year, or about 10% of total global anthropogenic methane emissions.