Sign in Subscribe
Air pollution

Natural Gas Emissions Reduction through Engine Vent Gas Recirculation

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Walter Scott Jr College of Engineering have conducted a study on natural gas emissions reduction through engine vent gas recirculation. The study focuses on evaluating three engine types, including the Caterpillar G3516 ULB, Caterpillar CG137-8, and Copper Bessemer GMV-4TF. The investigation aims to develop an optimized closed recirculation system to reduce unwanted methane emissions.

Key Takeaways:

  • Crankcase gas ventilation is a significant contributor to methane emissions for four-stroke engines, ranging from 17% to 69% of total engine CH4 emissions.
  • Entrained oil concentration in crankcase gas ranged from 213.2 to 288.8 mg/m^3-std, with oil particle sizes from 0.010 μm to 10 μm for four-stroke engines.
  • The study highlights the importance of crankcase gas ventilation in reducing methane emissions and proposes the development of an optimized closed recirculation system to mitigate these emissions.
  • The research has been peer-reviewed and presents a preliminary investigation into crankcase vent emissions, characterizing field-engine and lab-engine crankcase gas properties.
  • The study focuses on employing insights gained from this research to develop an efficient oil removal system that prevents air-system fouling and minimizes unnecessary methane emissions.

Statistics:

  • Crankcase gas ventilation contributes 17-69% of total engine CH4 emissions for four-stroke engines.
  • Entrained oil concentration in crankcase gas ranged from 213.2 to 288.8 mg/m^3-std.
  • Oil particle sizes in crankcase gas ranged from 0.010 μm to 10 μm for four-stroke engines.
  • The research aims to develop an optimized closed recirculation system to reduce methane emissions by [not specified in the source]
  • The study evaluates three engine types: Caterpillar G3516 ULB, Caterpillar CG137-8, and Copper Bessemer GMV-4TF.

Sources:

  • NewsRx LLC. Studies from Department of Mechanical Engineering Have Provided New Information about Gas Turbines and Power Engineering (Characterization of Crankcase Ventilation Gas On Stationary Natural Gas Engines). Global Warming Focus. October 13, 2025; p 787.
  • Characterization of Crankcase Ventilation Gas On Stationary Natural Gas Engines. Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power, 2025;147(10).

Read more