First Advisor

Elliott Gall

Date of Award

2017

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Mechanical Engineering and University Honors

Department

Mechanical and Materials Engineering

Subjects

Atmospheric methane -- Measurement, Ebullition

DOI

10.15760/honors.418

Abstract

Water reservoirs are increasingly recognized as a significant anthropogenic source of methane (CH4) production and emissions, CH4 being the second most prevalent greenhouse gas (GHG) after CO2. The dominant emission pathway for CH4 in lacustrine environments is ebullition (bubbling). A survey of current ebullition measurement methods reveals a technology gap; the ability to measure ebullition rates and CH4 content simultaneously and affordably with high temporal and spatial resolution is not currently available. Characterizing and modeling methane ebullition in water reservoirs is key to quantifying lacustrine methane emissions and providing a basis for potential mitigation efforts. This report documents the development and assessment of a Methane Ebullition Measurement Apparatus (MEMA) designed for in-situ, autonomous, ebullition-rate and methane-concentration measurement in lacustrine environments. MEMA is designed to be affordable and easily replicable in-house by environmental research scientists with limited manufacturing resources, emphasizing low per-unit cost for maximum unit replication and spatial coverage. Documentation of the device's build materials, supplier list, physical design, and control code have all been made publicly available to aid in replication efforts.

Rights

In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

Persistent Identifier

http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/20420

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