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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

A new aerial approach for quantifying and attributing methane emissions: implementation and validation

Methane (CH 4 ) is a powerful greenhouse gas that is produced by a diverse set of natural and anthropogenic emission sources. Biogenic methane sources generally involve anaerobic decay processes such as those occurring in wetlands, melting permafrost, or the digestion of organic matter in the guts of ruminant animals. Thermogenic CH 4 sources originate from the breakdown of organic material at high temperatures and pressure within the Earth's crust, a process which also produces more complex trace hydrocarbons such as ethane (C 2 H 6 ). Here, we present the development and deployment of an uncrewed aerial system (UAS) that employs a fast (1 Hz) and sensitive (1–0.5 ppb s -1 ) CH 4 and C 2 H 6 sensor and ultrasonic anemometer. The UAS platform is a vertical-takeoff, hexarotor drone (DJI Matrice 600 Pro, M600P) capable of vertical profiling to 120 m altitude and plume sampling across scales up to 1 km. Simultaneous measurements of CH 4 and C 2 H 6 concentrations, vector winds, and positional data allow for source classification (biogenic versus thermogenic), differentiation, and emission rates without the need for modeling or a priori assumptions about winds, vertical mixing, or other environmental conditions. The system has been used for direct quantification of methane point sources, such as orphan wells, and distributed emitters, such as landfills and wastewater treatment facilities. With detectable source rates as low as 0.04 and up to ~1500 kg h -1 , this UAS offers a direct and repeatable method of horizontal and vertical profiling of emission plumes at scales that are complementary to regional aerial surveys and localized ground-based monitoring.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS2015

On the Use of Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectroscopy and Synthetic Calibration Spectra to Quantify Gas Concentrations in a Fischer-Tropsch Catalyst System

One possible origin of prebiotic organic material is that these compounds were formed via Fischer-Tropsch-type (FTT) reactions of carbon monoxide and hydrogen on silicate and oxide grains in the warm, inner-solar nebula. To investigate this possibility, an experimental system has been built in which the catalytic efficiency of different grain-analog materials can be tested. During such runs, the gas phase above these grain analogs is sampled using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. To provide quantitative estimates of the concentration of these gases, a technique in which high-resolution spectra of the gases are calculated using the high-resolution transmission molecular absorption (HITRAN) database is used. Next, these spectra are processed via a method that mimics the processes giving rise to the instrumental line shape of the FT-IR spectrometer, including apodization, self-apodization, and broadening due to the finite resolution. The result is a very close match between the measured and computed spectra. This technique was tested using four major gases found in the FTT reactions: carbon monoxide, methane, carbon dioxide, and water. For the ranges typical of the FTT reactions, the carbon monoxide results were found to be accurate to within 5% and the remaining gases accurate to within 10%. These spectra can then be used to generate synthetic calibration data, allowing the rapid computation of the gas concentrations in the FTT experiments.

Infrared Spectroscopy↗
DOE OSTI2026

Dated soil C–N–P profiles, water quality, and chamber fluxes across Ohio and Michigan wetlands (2024–2025)

This dataset includes dated soil core chemistry (bulk density, phosphorus, nitrogen and carbon concentrations), water quality, and chamber flux measurements collected from wetlands in the Midwest United States—12 sites in Ohio, one site in Indiana, one site in Michigan—collected in the spring or summer of 2024 or 2025, all in (.csv) format. These data were generated to examine how wetland restoration, management activities, and time since restoration affect biogeochemical processes, carbon sequestration, nutrient accumulation, water quality, and greenhouse gas emissions. Specifically, these data aim to investigate how restored wetlands differ from natural wetlands in terms of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus dynamics, as well as carbon dioxide and methane fluxes. Also included are surface and porewater quality parameters and chamber flux measurements across these different wetlands. Sampling was conducted at various sites representing a range of restoration stages, from about 4 years post-restoration up to 105 years post-restoration, and also includes a natural wetland used as a reference in Michigan. These data can be used to determine carbon sequestration rates, nutrient cycling, and to enhance our understanding of biogeochemical responses to wetland restoration in temperate ecosystems. This data package contains (1) a csv file (Water_Quality.csv) containing water quality data (dissolved organic carbon, total dissolved nitrogen, and temperature) organized by location; (2) a csv file (Soil_C_N_P_Seq.csv) containing carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus concentrations at each soil level and time of each soil level, as well as their sequestration rates; (3) a csv file (CH4_CO2_Flux.csv) including methane and carbon dioxide fluxes that were measured with a chamber; (4) a file-level metadata (FLMD.csv) file that lists each file contained in the dataset with associated metadata; (5) a data dictionary (DD.csv) file that contains terms/column headers used throughout the files along with a definition, units, and data type; and (6) a locations metadata file (Location_metadata.csv).

Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Chemistry↗
NASA NTRS2012

Detecting Methane From Leaking Pipelines and as Greenhouse Gas in the Atmosphere

Laser remote sensing measurements of trace gases from orbit can provide unprecedented information about important planetary science and answer critical questions about planetary atmospheres. Methane (CH4) is the second most important anthropogenically produced greenhouse gas. Though its atmospheric abundance is much less than that of CO2 (1.78 ppm vs. 380 ppm), it has much larger greenhouse heating potential. CH4 also contributes to pollution in the lower atmosphere through chemical reactions, leading to ozone production. Atmospheric CH4 concentrations have been increasing as a result of increased fossil fuel production, rice farming, livestock, and landfills. Natural sources of CH4 include wetlands, wild fires, and termites, and perhaps other unknown sources. Important sinks for CH4 include non-saturated soils and oxidation by hydroxyl radicals in the atmosphere. Remotely measuring CH4 and other biogenic molecules (such as ethane and formaldehyde) on Mars also has important implications on the existence of life on Mars. Measuring CH4 at very low (ppb) concentrations from orbit will dramatically improve the sensitivity and spatial resolution in the search for CH4 vents and sub-surface life on other planets. A capability has been developed using lasers and spectroscopic detection techniques for the remote measurements of trace gases in open paths. Detection of CH4, CO2, H2O, and CO in absorption cells and in open paths, both in the mid- IR and near-IR region, has been demonstrated using an Optical Parametric Amplifier laser transmitter developed at GSFC. With this transmitter, it would be possible to develop a remote sensing methane instrument. CH4 detection also has very important commercial applications. Pipeline leak detection from an aircraft or a helicopter can significantly reduce cost, response time, and pinpoint the location. The main advantage is the ability to rapidly detect CH4 leaks remotely. This is extremely important for the petrochemical industry. This capability can be used in manned or unmanned airborne platforms for the detection of leaks in pipelines and other areas of interest where a CH4 leak is suspected.

Riris, Haris↗
DOE OSTI2021

Sea ice evolution along the Northern Sea Route and implications for trans-Arctic shipping from 2021 through 2060

Arctic surface temperatures warmed at twice the global average in the second half of the 20 th century due to Arctic amplification (AA), a phenomenon predominantly caused by regional polar changes, like the melting of perennial sea ice and reduced sea ice extent (leading to more solar radiation being absorbed by the ocean surface as opposed to being reflected back to space by the ice surface). AA is projected to reach a factor of three even if the climate is stabilized by the mid 21 st century by reduced greenhouse gas emissions. In all emissions scenarios, AA is projected to lead to temperature changes at least 2.4 times larger than global mean surface temperature changes occurring between 2070 and 2100. The ice-albedo feedback, which occurs when the polar-marine surface absorbs more radiation as highly reflective sea ice melts, is reversible such that the premise of a runaway process is no longer accepted as a realistic possibility. No matter what actions are taken to reduce CO 2 concentrations in the atmosphere from now on, two different methods of predicting an ice-free Arctic suggest that perennial sea ice will mostly disappear in September by the year 2050. If there is no reduction in anthropogenic CO 2 and methane emissions, that scenario could occur sooner than 2030. Defining Arctic navigability as safe and economic passage of Polar Class 7 cargo ships without need of an escorting icebreaker, no single trans Arctic ship route will be navigable year-round in the first half of the 21 st century, including in the strong emission scenarios. However, seasonal trans-Arctic navigability will increase this century. An estimate on the number of days per year that the Northern See Route (NSR) will be navigable in the future is beyond the scope of this report. Along Northern Sea Routes 5 and 6, which run close to the Russian coast and Yamal LNG plant, an ARC 7 ice class LNG tanker, the equivalent of a Polar Class 3 (PC3) vessel, will be at low risk in December through April at some point during the current decade. May will continue to entail some risk (more than April) along relatively short segments of these routes through the end of the next decade (2030-2039). Come June, snow rapidly melts away, and thereafter the underlying sea ice begins becomes thinner and less concentrated, greatly reducing risk. However, neither path is desirable for ARC 7 tankers due to shallow bathymetry in Sannikov Strait, and a more desirable path for these ships passes to the north of the New Siberian Islands (route 20, discussed further below). Conventional LNG tankers (i.e., non-ice-strengthened vessels according to the IMO classification), without icebreaker escorts, will continue to encounter dangerous or impassable conditions along many sections of the NSR through the end of this decade for many months of the year. Through 2039, these conventional tankers will be able to operate safely along NSR 6 from August through October. By 2040-2049, the span of safe operation increases to August through November, and by 2050-2059 it increases to July through November, assuming a northward deviation to avoid the Sannikov Strait.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1977

The NASA Ames Research Center one- and two-dimensional stratospheric models. Part 1: The one-dimensional model

A one-dimensional model of stratospheric trace constituents is described in detail. Specifically, the numerical solution of the species continuity equations, including a technique for treating the stiff differential equations representing the chemical kinetic terms, and an appropriate method for simulating the diurnal variations of the species concentrations, are discussed. A specialized treatment of atmospheric photodissociation rates is outlined in the text. The choice of a vertical eddy diffusivity profile and its success in predicting the vertical tracer distributions (carbon 14, methane, and nitrous oxide) are also discussed.

Turco, R. P.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Irradiation of NH3-CH4 mixtures as a model of photochemical processes in the Jovian planets and Titan

The reactions occurring upon the ultraviolet irradiation of ammonia-methane mixtures are investigated in a simulation of the atmospheric chemistry of the Jovian planets and Titan. Gas mixtures were irradiated at 185 nm at temperatures from 156-298 K, and product and reactant concentrations were determined by means of gas chromatography. The ratio of the moles of CH4 lost per mole of NH3 decomposed is found to be 0.25, with the extent of CH4 decomposition independent of temperature. The absence of a temperature effect suggests that nonthermal atoms, probably hydrogen, initiate CH4 decomposition by the extraction of a hydrogen atom. A decrease in CH4 loss with increasing pressure or the addition of other gases to the photolysis mixture, and the lack of an increase in NH3 photolysis with CH4 pressure support this mechanism. Major reaction products obtained include C2H2, C3H8 or CH3NH2, and C4H10. Considerations of atmospheric concentrations of H2 and He indicate that NH3 photolysis does not contribute to CH4 decomposition on Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, although it may have had a role in the formation of the Titan atmosphere.

Ferris, J. P.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Studies of Trace Gas Chemical Cycles Using Inverse Methods and Global Chemical Transport Models

We report progress in the first year, and summarize proposed work for the second year of the three-year dynamical-chemical modeling project devoted to: (a) development, testing, and refining of inverse methods for determining regional and global transient source and sink strengths for long lived gases important in ozone depletion and climate forcing, (b) utilization of inverse methods to determine these source/sink strengths using either MATCH (Model for Atmospheric Transport and Chemistry) which is based on analyzed observed wind fields or back-trajectories computed from these wind fields, (c) determination of global (and perhaps regional) average hydroxyl radical concentrations using inverse methods with multiple titrating gases, and (d) computation of the lifetimes and spatially resolved destruction rates of trace gases using 3D models. Important goals include determination of regional source strengths of methane, nitrous oxide, methyl bromide, and other climatically and chemically important biogenic/anthropogenic trace gases and also of halocarbons restricted by the Montreal protocol and its follow-on agreements and hydrohalocarbons now used as alternatives to the restricted halocarbons.

Prinn, Ronald G.↗
DOE OSTI2024

A synthetic co-culture for bioproduction of ammonia from methane and air

Abstract Fixed nitrogen fertilizers feed 50% of the global population, but most fixed nitrogen production occurs using energy-intensive Haber–Bosch-based chemistry combining nitrogen (N2) from air with gaseous hydrogen (H2) from methane (CH4) at high temperatures and pressures in large-scale facilities sensitive to supply chain disruptions. This work demonstrates the biological transformation of atmospheric N2 into ammonia (NH3) using CH4 as the sole carbon and energy source in a single vessel at ambient pressure and temperature, representing a biological “room-pressure and room-temperature” route to NH3 that could ultimately be developed to support compact, remote, NH3 production facilities amenable to distributed biomanufacturing. The synthetic microbial co-culture of engineered methanotroph Methylomicrobium buryatense (now Methylotuvimicrobium buryatense) and diazotroph Azotobacter vinelandii converted three CH4 molecules to l-lactate (C3H6O3) and powered gaseous N2 conversion to NH3. The design used division of labor and mutualistic metabolism strategies to address the oxygen sensitivity of nitrogenase and maximize CH4 oxidation efficiency. Media pH and salinity were central variables supporting co-cultivation. Carbon concentration heavily influenced NH3 production. Smaller-scale NH3 production near dispersed, abundant, and renewable CH4 sources could reduce disruption risks and capitalize on untapped energy resources. One-Sentence Summary Co-culture of engineered microorganisms Methylomicrobium buryatense and Azotobacter vinelandii facilitated the use of methane gas as a sole carbon feedstock to produce ammonia in an ambient temperature, atmospheric pressure, single-vessel system.

Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology↗
DOE OSTI2025

Continuous Wet Air Oxidation of the Hydrothermal Liquefaction Aqueous Product from Various Wet Wastes

Wet air oxidation (WAO) offers an effective method for treating waste streams, converting pollutants into benign substances, and holds significant potential for processing the aqueous product from the hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL-AP) of wet wastes, a promising renewable fuel technology. Here, we conducted a comprehensive study of the WAO of HTL-AP from four different wet wastes. Through continuous testing under various conditions, we produced samples with different chemical oxygen demand (COD) levels, enhancing understanding of reaction parameters necessary for substantial COD reduction (>95%). Chemical analysis revealed that alcohols and ketones in the HTL-AP rapidly oxidized to acetic acid through aldehyde intermediates, while acetic acid, other carboxylic acids, and phenols oxidized relatively slowly. The light N-containing compounds were found to exhibit a change in concentration only after the whole sample reaches an 80% COD reduction, indicating their refractory nature under applied conditions. Energy released in the WAO reaction was calculated, and anaerobic toxicity assay demonstrated that WAO treatment enhanced methane production kinetics due to reduced inhibitory effects, suggesting partial oxidative transformation of inhibitory compounds into less toxic derivatives. These findings provide insights into designing effective WAO processes for valorizing HTL aqueous products, addressing key barriers to HTL process commercialization.

anaerobic digestion↗
NASA NTRS1997

Interpretation of Trace Gas Data Using Inverse Methods and Global Chemical Transport Models

This is a theoretical research project aimed at: (1) development, testing, and refining of inverse methods for determining regional and global transient source and sink strengths for long lived gases important in ozone depletion and climate forcing, (2) utilization of inverse methods to determine these source/sink strengths which use the NCAR/Boulder CCM2-T42 3-D model and a global 3-D Model for Atmospheric Transport and Chemistry (MATCH) which is based on analyzed observed wind fields (developed in collaboration by MIT and NCAR/Boulder), (3) determination of global (and perhaps regional) average hydroxyl radical concentrations using inverse methods with multiple titrating gases, and, (4) computation of the lifetimes and spatially resolved destruction rates of trace gases using 3-D models. Important goals include determination of regional source strengths of methane, nitrous oxide, and other climatically and chemically important biogenic trace gases and also of halocarbons restricted by the Montreal Protocol and its follow-on agreements and hydrohalocarbons used as alternatives to the restricted halocarbons.

Prinn, Ronald G.↗
NASA NTRS2016

Airborne In-Situ Measurements of Formaldehyde Over California: One Year of Results from the Compact Formaldehyde Fluorescence Experiment (COFFEE) Instrument

Formaldehyde (HCHO) is one of the most abundant oxygenated volatile organiccompounds (VOCs) in the atmosphere, playing a role in multiple atmosphericprocesses, such as ozone (O3) production in polluted environments. Due toits short lifetime of only a few hours in daytime, HCHO also serves astracer of recent photochemical activity. While photochemical oxidation ofnon-methane hydrocarbons is the dominant source, HCHO can also be emitteddirectly from fuel combustion, vegetation, and biomass burning. The CompactFormaldehyde FluorescencE Experiment (COFFEE) instrument was built forintegration onto the Alpha Jet Atmospheric eXperiment (AJAX) payload, basedout of NASAs Ames Research Center (Moffett Field, CA). Using Non-ResonantLaser Induced Fluorescence (NR-LIF), trace concentrations of HCHO can bedetected with a sensitivity of 200 parts per trillion.Since its first research flight in December 2015, COFFEE has successfullyflown on more than 20 science missions throughout California and Nevada.Presented here are results from these flights, including boundary layermeasurements and vertical profiles throughout the tropospheric column.Californias San Joaquin Valley is a primary focus, as this region is knownfor its elevated levels of HCHO as well as O3. Measurements collected inwildfire plumes, urban centers, agricultural lands, and on and off shorecomparisons will be presented. In addition, the correlation of HCHO to othertrace gases also measured by AJAX, including O3, methane, carbon dioxide,and water vapor will also be shown. Lastly, the implications of these HCHOmeasurements on calibration and validation of remote sensing data collectedby NASAs OMI (Aura) and OMPS (SuomiNPP) satellites will be addressed.

wildfire↗
DOE OSTI2025

Physical model and experimental validation of a high temperature proton exchange membrane electrochemical hydrogen pump cell for efficient single-stage extraction of low concentration hydrogen gas

There is interest in valorization of existing natural gas infrastructure to facilitate the co-transportation of hydrogen via blending of hydrogen gas initially at limited concentrations of 1–20 vol% H2 and to subsequently extract hydrogen at fuel cell quality standards (SAE J2719/ISO14687-2). High temperature proton exchange membrane electrochemical hydrogen pump (HT-PEM EHP) based on phosphoric acid doped polybenzimidazole (PA-PBI) exhibits good performance at elevated temperatures (>120 °C), which provides desirable tolerance to non-methane natural gas constituents that are problematic for lower temperature based EHP. To better understand the suitability of the HT-PEM EHP for such gas separation processes, a two-dimensional model of EHP based on PA-PBI was developed. The model is validated for several relevant operating conditions and across cells with differing amounts of phosphoric acid content in the electrodes. Operando micro x-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging of an HT-PEM EHP was used to further validate physical parameters and assumptions of the model. The impacts of pressure, relative humidity of the anode feed, and concentration of feed gases on separation performance are investigated. This study shows that a specific energy of separation of 5.1 kWh/kg H2 at a hydrogen recovery factor (HRF) of 50 vol% can be achieved in a single stage with the EHP, producing fuel cell quality hydrogen purity of 99.99 vol% H2 from a 2 vol% H2/CH4 feed blend, while pressurizing the product H2 at a pressure ratio of 1.3 relative to feed pressure.

Stansberry, John M↗
DOE OSTI2022

Methane foam performance evaluation in water-wet unconsolidated porous media: A systematic experimental investigation at elevated pressure and temperature conditions

In the petroleum industry, enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques employ foam extensively to establish conformance control in heterogeneous and fractured reservoirs in order to increase the sweep efficiency. In such applications, foam performance evaluation under complex subsurface conditions is pivotal for the effective and optimized deployment of foam treatment. However, there is a scarcity of hydrocarbon gas foam generation and evaluation studies that examine the relationships between foam performance and the critical foam parameters at high-pressure and high-temperature conditions. Here, this study aims at methodically investigating the effects of several foam parameters on methane foam performance in water-wet proppant packs under harsh operating conditions. This is in relation to the technical needs of hydrocarbon foam injection into hydraulically-induced, propped fractures in unconventional oil reservoirs. To this end, a state-of-the-art experimental foam generation apparatus was designed, fabricated, and commissioned. We performed a large number of foam flow experiments on proppant packs using methane gas and different foaming agents at 3500 psi and 115°C. Anionic and amphoteric surfactants were employed to probe the effect of their ionic nature on foam performance. Foam performance sensitivities to various foam generation parameters and operating conditions, such as surfactant concentration, gas fraction, total injection rate, operating pressure, salinity, and proppant pack length were investigated. To this end, steady-state pressure drops across the proppant packs during foam generation and foam's apparent viscosity were measured to quantify the foam performance of surfactants. The results were then analyzed to determine optimum values of the foam parameters and the interplay between these parameters are discussed here. The systematic results achieved from this work are in agreement with the trends available in the literature and provide new insights into complexities of in situ foam generation in water-wet, unconsolidated porous media at extreme reservoir conditions.

03 NATURAL GAS↗
NASA NTRS1976

The measurement of carbon monoxide and methane in the national capital air quality control region. II - Meteorological conditions and chromatographic and spectrometric results

The meteorological conditions during this program consisted of a stagnant high pressure system which was subsequently replaced by southward moving Canadian air. This change in air masses produced distinct changes in the ambient CO concentrations. Ground level concentrations decreased from an average of 1.3 ppm at the beginning of the experiment to 0.2 ppm at the end. Vertical profiles obtained during the experiment showed decreases in the CO concentrations with altitude. Agreement of gas chromatography data for CO and CH4 by NASA and NRL was within 5% for the concentrations encountered. Results from NASA's Infrared Fourier Spectrometer agreed with the gas chromatographic results both in trends and concentrations of CO and CH4 observed with the passing frontal system.

Lamontagne, R. A.↗
DOE OSTI2026

Degassing fluxes in a temperate hydropower reservoir predictable by deep‐water dissolved oxygen but highly sensitive to discharge variability

Hydropower reservoirs contribute to methane (CH 4 ) and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions, like all aquatic ecosystems. Unique to hydropower reservoirs are degassing emissions that occur when deep-water intakes move water with high CH 4 and CO 2 concentrations through turbines, leading to the release of these gases. However, few studies from hydropower reservoirs have measured seasonal variability and drivers of degassing fluxes, especially in temperate systems. We measured monthly degassing emissions in temperate Douglas Reservoir (Tennessee, USA) from 2023 to 2024. We found that degassing fluxes were highest in the summertime, and deep-water CH 4 and CO 2 concentrations were predictable by deep-water dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations. Degassing emissions accounted for 37–62% of annually estimated CH 4 emissions, outweighing ebullitive emissions during summer months. We highlight the value of using DO data to estimate deep-water CH 4 and CO 2 concentrations and degassing fluxes at higher temporal resolution to improve annualization and extrapolation of reservoir degassing emissions at broader scales.

Pilla, Rachel M. [Oak Ridge National Laboratory (O↗
NASA NTRS1978

Limb Infrared Monitor of the Stratosphere /LIMS/ experiment

The Limb Infrared Monitor of the Stratosphere (LIMS) radiometer is a satellite-borne six-channel multispectral scanning radiometer using a two-stage methane and ammonia solid-cryogen cooler to cool the (Hg, Cd)Te focal plane to 65 K. The LIMS experiment employs thermal IR limb sounding to provide vertical-profile measurement of temperature and of concentrations of O3, NO3, and H2O in the stratosphere on a global scale. The goals of the experiment and the expected accuracies of the measurements are outlined, and the radiance measured by the radiometer is analyzed. A program of correlative measurements designed for verification and augmentation of the LIMS data is discussed. Detailed descriptions are given of the LIMS components and optics, the detector capsule assembly, the solid-cryogen cooler, the four operational modes of the LIMS system, and the data-processor electronics. It is noted that prelaunch acceptance testing thus far completed indicates that the LIMS specification design requirements have been met, and the experiment's performance goals can be achieved.

Drozewski, R. W.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Advanced waste management technology evaluation

The purpose of this program is to evaluate the feasibility of steam reforming spacecraft wastes into simple recyclable inorganic salts, carbon dioxide and water. Model waste compounds included cellulose, urea, methionine, Igapon TC-42, and high density polyethylenes. These are compounds found in urine, feces, hygiene water, etc. The gasification and steam reforming process used the addition of heat and low quantities of oxygen to oxidize and reduce the model compounds.The studied reactions were aimed at recovery of inorganic residues that can be recycled into a closed biologic system. Results indicate that even at very low concentrations of oxygen (less than 3%) the formation of a carbonaceous residue was suppressed. The use of a nickel/cobalt reforming catalyst at reaction temperature of 1600 degrees yielded an efficient destruction of the organic effluents, including methane and ammonia. Additionally, the reforming process with nickel/cobalt catalyst diminished the noxious odors associated with butyric acid, methionine and plastics.

Couch, H.↗