22 Water / Wastewater
METHANE EMISSIONS ANALYSIS AT BERLIN WASTEWATER FACILITY
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, with a global warming potential approximately 8 times higher than that of carbon dioxide. Monitoring methane emissions is crucial for understanding and mitigating climate change, as it helps identify sources and quantify the impact of these emissions on the atmosphere. Given its signifi cant role in contributing to climate change, reducing methane emissions, particularly from municipal wastewater treatment plants, is crucial for a more sustainable approach to urban water management.
In collaboration with the Berlin wastewater facility, DEUS- Pollutrack conducted a study to understand and assess methane emissions from wastewater facilities. The study aimed to establish correlations between methane emissions and various meteorological variables. The data collected spanned from June 15, 2023, to November 15, 2023, incorporating meteorological information and methane measurements from a sewage treatment plant situated south-southeast of the sensor’s position.
Materials and methods:
The methane concentration is monitored by a tunable diode laser spectrometer (TDLS) (Axetris LGD Compact-A CH4). Linear correlation models were developed to analyze the relationship between methane concentrations and meteorological variables. Notably, a trigonometric model was employed to study the infl uence of wind direction. The time course of methane concentration suggested a potential positive correlation between temperature and methane concentration despite data few gaps in August and September.
Modeling Challenges:
A quasi-linear model was examined to validate the correlation, albeit restricted to non-negative values (y = max (0, a*x + b)). However, the parameters of this model exhibited considerable uncertainties, introducing the possibility of independence from temperature. If the correlation holds, an increase in biological reactions with temperature might offer a plausible explanation.
Wind Direction Infl uence:
Given the sewage treatment plant’s southern proximity to the sensor, a dependence on wind direction was assumed. A trigonometric model (y = a + sin (x + b)) revealed a weak dependence. It was evident that wind direction played a role, though not a dominant one.
Figure 2: Methane concentration and temperature correlation Wind Speed and Other Variables:
Wind speed showed only a weak correlation with methane emissions, mirroring the temperature’s independence. The variance in model parameters suggested potential independence, emphasizing the need for further investigation.
Statistical Analysis:
Measured values exhibited signifi cant statistical fl uctuations, visually represented as a circle with a slight southward shift in the meteorological wind rose. The sewage treatment plant’s location aligned with this model, indicating a correlation between emissions and wind direction.
Figure 1: DEUS-Pollutrack measurement units (four modules, the fi rst module from the top: measuring wind speed and direction as well as precipitation, the second: CH4
, the third: CO2 bottom: particulate matter (PM 1, 2.5, 10) AET ANNUAL BUYERS’ GUIDE 2024 , NO2
Figure 3: a) Methane concentrations versus wind direction (Meteo) b) the location of the measurement unit installed in the area Berlin wastewater facility , and VOCs, and on the
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68
