Quantifying greenhouse gas methane emissions from simulated plumes: A hybrid computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and image-based approach
Date
2025
Authors
Mansoori, Ghazal
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Abstract
Given methane’s role as a potent greenhouse gas with a significantly higher short term global warming potential than carbon dioxide, its accurate quantification is critical for early detection and mitigation. This thesis presents a simulation-driven framework for quantifying greenhouse gas methane leak rates using image-based projections derived from computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Methane emissions with field-representative leak rates were modeled in open-air environments using three dimensional (3D) simulations under varying wind and leak source conditions. The resulting volumetric data were transformed to mimic the output of remote optical sensing systems, enabling leak rate estimation via a MATLAB-based algorithm grounded in the principles of mass conservation. This approach offers a practical foundation for remote methane quantification, with potential applications in sensor validation, environmental monitoring, and climate action strategies focused on emission reductions.
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Keywords
Gas leak quantification, Greenhouse gas methane emissions, Computational fluid dynamics (CFD), Simulation