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PreprintCC BY-NC-NDChemRxiv

Photo-oxidation of Dilute Methane in Dairy Barn Air: Pilot Scale Optimization

  • Morten Krogsbøll1,2,3
  • Noah D. Weiss3
  • Hugo S. Russell3
  • Svend Bager3
  • Nickie Fogde3
  • Matthew S. Johnson1,2,3
  1. 1Department of Chemistry
  2. 2University of Copenhagen
  3. 3R&D, Ambient Carbon ApS
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Abstract

Low concentration (below 1000 ppm) methane emissions from point sources such as cattle barns remain a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, and have proven hard to mitigate. Previously, a novel method for methane photo-oxidation using UV light to produce chlorine radicals from chlorine gas, which subsequently oxidize methane, was proposed. Here we present the first real-world experimental results from a pilot scale Methane Eradication Photochemical System (MEPS) deployed at a dairy farm in Denmark. Utilizing electrolysis generated chlorine and UV light, chlorine radicals were produced in a confined photoreactor to effectively oxidize methane. The system demonstrated methane oxidation with a specific energy of 0.32 kWh/gCH4 and 75 % methane removal efficiency at an inlet concentration of 89 ppm. To better understand the operational parameters, the reactor was operated at a variety of different methane concentrations, UV irradiance, airflow rates, and chlorine concentrations. Statistical evaluation indicated that increasing UV power and Cl2 concentration synergistically minimizes specific energy while maximizing removal efficiency. The ability to achieve low specific energy and high removal efficiency underscores the system’s viability. By addressing agricultural emissions, this technology offers a tangible pathway for mitigating atmospheric methane and limiting global temperature overshoot in the 21st century.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@misc{krogsboll2026photooxidation,
  title = {{Photo-oxidation of Dilute Methane in Dairy Barn Air: Pilot Scale Optimization}},
  author = {Morten Krogsbøll and Noah D. Weiss and Hugo S. Russell and Svend Bager and Nickie Fogde and Matthew S. Johnson},
  howpublished = {ChemRxiv},
  year = {2026},
  month = sep,
  doi = {10.26434/chemrxiv.15009362/v1},
  url = {https://chemrxiv.org/doi/full/10.26434/chemrxiv.15009362/v1},
  note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY  - UNPB
TI  - Photo-oxidation of Dilute Methane in Dairy Barn Air: Pilot Scale Optimization
AU  - Morten Krogsbøll
AU  - Noah D. Weiss
AU  - Hugo S. Russell
AU  - Svend Bager
AU  - Nickie Fogde
AU  - Matthew S. Johnson
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/09/23
PB  - ChemRxiv
DO  - 10.26434/chemrxiv.15009362/v1
UR  - https://chemrxiv.org/doi/full/10.26434/chemrxiv.15009362/v1
AB  - Low concentration (below 1000 ppm) methane emissions from point sources such as cattle barns remain a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, and have proven hard to mitigate. Previously, a novel method for methane photo-oxidation using UV light to produce chlorine radicals from chlorine gas, which subsequently oxidize methane, was proposed. Here we present the first real-world experimental results from a pilot scale Methane Eradication Photochemical System (MEPS) deployed at a dairy farm in Denmark. Utilizing electrolysis generated chlorine and UV light, chlorine radicals were produced in a confined photoreactor to effectively oxidize methane. The system demonstrated methane oxidation with a specific energy of 0.32 kWh/gCH4 and 75 % methane removal efficiency at an inlet concentration of 89 ppm. To better understand the operational parameters, the reactor was operated at a variety of different methane concentrations, UV irradiance, airflow rates, and chlorine concentrations. Statistical evaluation indicated that increasing UV power and Cl2 concentration synergistically minimizes specific energy while maximizing removal efficiency. The ability to achieve low specific energy and high removal efficiency underscores the system’s viability. By addressing agricultural emissions, this technology offers a tangible pathway for mitigating atmospheric methane and limiting global temperature overshoot in the 21st century.
ER  -