Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

With the goal to achieve net-zero emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) by 2050, Canada is seeking effective measures for monitoring, reducing, and utilizing GHG in all sectors in its economy. Among the top three GHG, methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) are especially difficult to monitor and control due to the fugitive and variable nature of their emissions. As more and more GHG emitting facilities are required for reporting annual GHG emissions, especially those with fugitive sources, the regulators are in urgent need of standardized method for emission monitoring that can be easily implemented by the facility operators. Potable Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) is the most convenient and cost-effective technology to continuously quantifying all three GHG and many organic species in the lab and field. Due to its unique capability and versatility, this equipment is selected to support three research programs to address the long-existing challenges in the route to carbon neutrality by 2050. The first program is to develop a standardized, tiered approach for quantifying fugitive GHG emissions from small-scale but heterogeneous and variable sources, such as wastewater treatment facilities, agricultural plots. A low-cost, sensor network will also be developed to realize 24/7 emission monitoring for such sources. The second program is to develop non-thermal plasma (NTP) technologies for highly efficient N2 fixation and Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) remediation. Electrification of energy and chemical process is a highly promising solution for reducing carbon emissions, enhancing energy efficiency, and promoting sustainable practices. The third program is to develop quantitative IR-imaging based method for natural gas (NG) leak monitoring. Traditional OGI method cannot quantify the emission. Integrating IR imaging and dispersion modeling, augmented with the introduction of novel ML analysis, will allow for a new perspective and open doors for early detection and quantification of NG leaks. The outcomes of the research activities will provide the industry and regulators new technologies for GHG quantification and reduction. The HQP will receive multidisciplinary training through the research programs, which will equipment them with the marketable skills in the low-carbon economy.