Advance in Energy Security Engineering and Methane Emission Reduction Science

Methane (CH₄) is the second largest greenhouse gas in the world after carbon dioxide (CO₂), which is more active in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. In recent years, the world has been paying more and more attention to methane emission reduction. Achieving the goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutralization is not only to cope with climate change and build a community with a shared future for mankind but also an important measure to implement the new development concept, promote green development and ensure energy security. Methane stays in the atmosphere for a short time, but the greenhouse effect of methane in the atmosphere is more significant than that of CO and CO₂. As a short-lived strong greenhouse gas, methane has an increasingly significant impact on the climate. On the one hand, the control of methane emission not only has the climate benefits of slowing down the short-term climate warming rate but also has the environmental benefits of coordinated control of air pollution. And we also need research efforts on the technologies and methods for process and energy systems considering the methane resource capture and reuse. That is, methane released in the coal mining process can be utilized through certain technical means, such as is utilized through certain technical means, such as gas power generation, gas concentration, and gas oxidation utilization. On the other hand, it also brings economic benefits to the early harvest of unconventional natural gas as an alternative fuel and industrial raw material, which is favorable for the grand challenge of energy efficiency.

The production, transportation, storage, and utilization of energy have brought about methane emission, explosion, and fire. The study of methane emission reduction, leakage, explosion, and fire is of great significance to prevent property losses, casualties, and environmental pollution. However, at present, the basic research on methane emission reduction in academia is insufficient, and the technical means are relatively weak. Moreover, the engineering practice experience related to methane emission reduction and research efforts on the technologies for process and energy systems considering the reuse of the methane resource is insufficient. This Research Topic is dedicated to presenting research advances in the rational use and reuse of methane energy solicits significant advances in the energy security engineering and methane emission reduction science, and its technologies for process and energy systems, including methane emission technology in fossil energy, gas explosion and fire, coal mine and non-coal mine safety engineering, safety issues on the energy system control and integration for ethane emission and so on.

This research topic aims to collect high-quality original research articles and review papers reflecting advances in research on energy security engineering and methane emission reduction science. Research topics include but are not limited to the following list:
• Numerical simulation technologies regarding gas flow and combustion process
• Flow behavior of methane in macro/micro scale
• Methane emission source identification and mitigation
• Methane control in the natural gas distribution complex system: Complex methane emission reduction system control and integration
• Combustion or hazards control in systems engineering of unconventional natural gas Reservoir stimulation with gas production
• Gas transportation and diffusion process system simulation and modeling technology
• Methane emission measurements in the energy value chain
• Methane reduction technology (gas power generation, gas concentration, and gas oxidation utilization) and its application during coal, oil, and gas production