Research Projects

Current Research Projects

Inter-comparison of Direct Quantification and Areal Micrometeorological Methods to Investigate the Transport and Fate of Methane from Heterogeneous Sources in Natural Gas Fields (National Science Foundation), 2018-2021 (~$321,789)

PI: Derek Johnson

Collaborators: Omar Abdul-Aziz

Summary: The use of natural gas is increasing worldwide. Methane, the primary component of natural gas, is a highly potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climatic changes. Recent research suggests that methane can be released from natural gas fields, but large uncertainties in these data do not allow accurate quantification of the amount. The proposed research will reduce this uncertainty and advance knowledge in measurement methods and modeling tools for the quantification of methane emissions in natural gas fields. The project will support graduate and undergraduate research by underrepresented engineering students in rural Appalachia, addressing societal needs for broadening participation in science and engineering. If successful, the results of this research will help protect the nation's energy security by potentially influencing regulatory activities and improving the efficiency of natural gas production.

 

_{Wind rose plots of micrometeorological conditions at various locations around the active well pad.}

Methane Watchdog Network – A Cost Effective Approach to Longwall Methane Monitoring and Control (The Alpha Foundation), 2018-2020 (~$249,000)

PI: Derek Johnson

Collaborators: Nigel Clark, Yi Luo and Mark Sindelar

Summary: We are developing an innovative Methane Watchdog system, which will deploy a low-cost, multi-nodal methane measurement network to ultimately improve the health and safety of longwall coal mining operations. The system will employ a reliable and durable nodal methane-sensing network to monitor methane concentrations and velocity continuously along the full length of the longwall face. The system will measure, record, and report on discrete methane concentrations in nearly real time, along the front and rear ends of the canopy of the shields. The measured methane concentration distribution along the front tips of the shield canopy can be used as an algorithm input to decide whether the shearer should be de-energized before advancing into potentially explosive methane-air pockets. The ability to accurately collect, record, and analyze methane concentrations at multiple locations will immediately improve mine safety and will ultimately lead to better models and design methods to prevent the most feared hazards in underground coal mines – methane and dust explosions.

 

_{Graduate research assistants Amber Barr and Brian Cappellini calibrating methane sensors.}

Collaborative Research: Measurement and Modeling of the Pathways of Potential Fugitive Methane Emissions during Hydrofracking ( National Science Foundation), 2017-2018 (~$178,812190 - $28,000 WVU)

PI at WVU: Derek Johnson

Collaborators: Gil Bohrer (Ohio State University) and Jackie Hatala Matthes (Wellesley College)

Summary: Production of natural gas from deep subsurface shale formations in the US has increased considerably in the last decade due to the advancement in drilling and hydraulic fracturing technology. In 2010, shale gas accounted for 23 percent of annual dry natural gas supply in the US, with projections that this capacity will increase to 48 percent by 2035. There are large economic advantages of shale gas development, including reliance on domestic production due to the abundance of natural gas in the US and the improved air quality when using natural gas compared with the combustion of gas and coal. This project will examine fugitive emissions, those not controlled in the production well, in a life cycle analyses of the greenhouse gas footprint that include the hydrofracking extraction and production processes. Researchers at WVU continuously monitor a remote data collection tower in rural Monongalia County and have conducted methane mapping of the region to assess potential sources contribution to the regional methane flux. 

 

_{Left: Rebekah Barrow atop the monitoring tower cleaning laser optics, Right: Regional methane mapping.}

Marcellus Shale Energy and Environmental Laboratory ( MSEEL) (DOE), 2014-2019 (~$11M)

PI: Timothy Carr

Collaborators: Derek Johnson, Paul Ziemkiewicz, Shikha Sharma, Maneesh Sharma, Samuel Ameri, Kashy Aminian and others.

Summary: The MSEEL site will provide a well-documented baseline of reservoir and environmental characterization. Access to multiple Marcellus wells separated by sufficient time to analyze data will allow for the collection of samples and data, and the testing and demonstration of advanced technologies. The project’s phased approach allows for flexibility to identify and incorporate new, cost-effective technology and science focused on increasing recovery efficiency, while reducing environmental and societal impacts. Johnson and the CAFEE team completed in-use measurements from dual-fuel drilling and fracturing engines during the development of wells at the MSEEL site located in the industrial park in Westover. Ongoing research has focused on performing direct and indirect quantification audits during production to assess temporal variability in methane emissions.

 

_{Measuring the emissions from a tented wellhead using the FFS.}

GENSETS – Oscillating Linear Engine and Alternator (OLEA) ( ARPA-E), 2015-2018 (~$2.0M)

PI: Parviz Famouri

Collaborators: Derek Johnson, Nigel Clark, Gregory Thompson, Hailin Li, Terence Musho

Summary: This project will develop a combined heat and power system for residential use based on a two-stroke, spark-ignited free-piston internal combustion engine. Traditional internal combustion engines use the force generated by the combustion of a fuel (natural gas in this case) to move a piston, transferring chemical energy to mechanical energy, which when used in conjunction with a generator produces electricity. This free-piston design differs from traditional slider-crank ICE models by eliminating the crankshaft and using a spring to increase frequency and stabilize operation. The resulting design is compact with few moving parts and has reduced frictional losses. In place of a traditional alternator, this engine drives a permanent magnet linear electric generator.

 

_{From left to right - Chris Ulishney, Nima Zamani, Nigel Clark, Mahdi Darzi, and Derek Johnson in the micro-engine research laboratory after successful engine operation.}

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Previous Research Projects (not inclusive)

Unconventional Resource Development Program (DOE), 2013-2018, (~$2.2 M)

PI: Andrew Nix

Collaborators: Derek Johnson, Nigel Clark, Gregory Thompson, Hailin Li, Arvind Thiruvengadam, Marc Besch andDaniel Carder

Summary: Researchers at the Center for Alternative Fuels, Engines, and Emissions completed a multi-year program under DE-FE0013689 entitled, “Assessing Fugitive Methane Emissions Impact Using Natural Gas Engines in Unconventional Resource Development.” When drilling activity was high and industry sought to lower operating costs and reduce emissions they began investing in dual fuel and dedicated natural gas engines to power unconventional well equipment. From a review of literature we determined that the prime-movers (or major fuel consumers) of unconventional well development were the service trucks (trucking), horizontal drilling rig (drilling) engines, and hydraulic stimulation pump (fracturing) engines. Based on early findings from on-road studies we assessed that conversion of prime movers to operate on natural gas could contribute to methane emissions associated with unconventional wells. As such, we collected significant in-use activity data from service trucks and in-use activity, fuel consumption, and gaseous emissions data from drilling and fracturing engines. Our findings confirmed that conversion of the prime movers to operate as dual fuel or dedicated natural gas – created an additional source of methane emissions. While some gaseous emissions were decreased from implementation of these technologies – methane and CO ₂ equivalent emissions tended to increase, especially for non-road engines. The increases were highest for dual fuel engines due to methane slip from the exhaust and engine crankcase. Dedicated natural gas engines tended to have lower exhaust methane emissions but higher CO ₂ emissions due to lower efficiency. Therefore, investing in currently available natural gas technologies for prime movers will increase the greenhouse gas footprint of the unconventional well development industry.

 

_{Left: Rob, Rebekah and Dr. Johnson at an active well site in texas. Right: Emissions sampling during drilling operations.}

Pump-to-Wheels Study on Heavy-Duty Natural Gas Vehicles, (Environmental Defense Fund and Industry), 2013-2016, ($1.75M)

PI: Nigel Clark

Collaborators: Derek Johnson, Hailin Li, Scott Wayne, Slava Akkerman and David McKain

Summary: This multi-year study examined the methane emissions from currently available heavy-duty natural gas engines that included both dedicated natural gas engines, High-Pressure Direct Injection engines, and dual fuel conversions. In addition, methane emissions were quantified from eight compressed natural gas stations and six liquefied natural gas stations across North America. These new data were used to model methane emissions from a future, much larger vehicle fleet. The predicted methane emissions rates from a 2035 natural gas fleet cover a wide range depending on technologies adopted and best management practices employed. Support for this project was provided by the Environmental Defense Fund, Cummins, Cummins Westport, Royal Dutch Shell, the American Gas Association, Chart Industries, Clean Energy, the International Council on Clean Transportation, PepsiCo, Volvo Group, Waste Management and Westport Innovations. Support was also provided by West Virginia University’s George Berry Chair Endowment and Transportable Chassis Testing Laboratory personnel.

 

_{Left: The full flow sampling system prior to measurements of CNG emissions from vehicle fuel systems. Right: Derek Johnson fuels up the CNG vehicle during interstate testing.}

Barnett Shale Coordinated Campaign (Environmental Defense Fund), 2013-2015, (~$205,000)

PI: Derek Johnson

Collaborators: Nigel Clark and David McKain

Summary:The Barnett Coordinated Campaign was an intensive multi-scale, multi-week methane measurement campaign conducted in the Barnett Shale region of Texas in October 2013. The study included researchers from NOAA, Colorado, Purdue, Michigan, Penn State, Sander Geophyics, Princeton, UT Dallas, UC Irvine, University of Cincinnati, Washing State University, University of Houston, Picarro, Duke, Aerodyne and WVU. The WVU focus was on deploying their Full Flow Sampling System to quantify methane emissions from three natural gas compressor stations and two natural gas storage facilities. 

 

_{Left: Christopher Rowe and April Covington set up the FFS at a natural gas storage facility in Texas. Right: Jason England quantifies a leaking fitting with the FFS and records details of the leak using a WVU-developed phone app.}