Methane

A digital twin (DT) is an automation strategy that integrates a physical plant with an adaptive, real-time simulation environment, with bidirectional communication between them. In process engineering, DTs promise real-time monitoring, prediction of future conditions, predictive maintenance, process optimization, and control. Dashboards for process monitoring are becoming increasingly relevant for tracking key metrics and supervising industrial units in real time. Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems are widely used for process automation, with ScadaBR, an open-source, freely licensed platform. This work presents the development of a computational tool that integrates the Aspen HYSYS/Python with the ScadaBR system for real-time monitoring and supervision of dynamic models. The virtual plant, which replicates the system’s physical behavior, was connected to the SCADA platform via the Modbus protocol, enabling bidirectional data exchange between the simulated model and the supervisory interface. The system supports operational analysis and control strategy validation. Two case studies were analyzed: (i) a simplified catalytic hydrocracking process, implemented in the Python environment, and (ii) a heat exchanger networks process, simulated using the HYSYS simulator. In the second case, the process was dynamically simulated, with real-time monitoring of a simple dynamic indicator that correlates the feed methane concentration with heat transfer fluids. The results demonstrate the feasibility and applicability of the proposed approach for educational purposes, operator training, and process engineering validation, fostering a more realistic and interactive simulation environment. Furthermore, the results show that the tool is promising for dynamic monitoring of environmental and energy indices, demonstrating that methane consumption relative to process feed can be evaluated and controlled over time.

Livestock operations significantly contribute to global methane (CH₄) emissions, a potent greenhouse gas. This occurs primarily through enteric fermentation (a digestive process in ruminant animals that produce methane) and manure management. This review synthesizes the current understanding of the sources of methane within livestock farming systems. It focuses on the primary drivers of these emissions, namely methane production during ruminant digestion and emissions from manure handling. The review also explores the concept of methane sinks, highlighting the processes that remove methane from the atmosphere and their role in the global methane cycle. While natural methane sinks exist, their capacity to offset methane emissions from livestock operations is limited. This review therefore discusses a range of mitigation approaches, categorized into animal and feed management, diet manipulation, rumen manipulation, and advanced technologies. Synthesizing these elements provides a clear understanding of the challenges and opportunities in addressing livestock-related methane emissions. Effective strategies should aim to reduce methane production without negatively impacting animal productivity and health. This emphasizes that addressing sustainable livestock production requires integrated approaches that simultaneously tackle climate change mitigation.

This study evaluated the effects of ammonium sulfate [(NH₄)₂SO₄] addition and land-use history on greenhouse gas emissions (CH₄, CO₂, N₂O) and inorganic nitrogen dynamics (NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻) in Brazilian Cerrado soils. The objective was to determine how fertilization interacts with native and agricultural soils to regulate key biogeochemical processes. Soil samples from native and agricultural areas were collected in four regions (Araras, Sorocaba, Itirapina, and Brasília), representing contrasting pedoclimatic conditions and soil textures under different cropping systems. Samples were incubated under controlled conditions, with greenhouse gas fluxes analyzed by gas chromatography and inorganic nitrogen concentrations determined by colorimetric methods. Nitrogen fertilization inhibited CH₄ consumption in native and agricultural soils and reversed fluxes to emissions in sandy soils. CO₂ emissions increased in native soils but decreased in agricultural soils, suggesting effects of soil fertility and carbon stocks. N₂O emissions increased mainly in native soils, reflecting intensified nitrification and denitrification, whereas agricultural soils responded heterogeneously. Nitrogen addition altered NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻ consumption, indicating enhanced oxidation and microbial assimilation. These results demonstrate that land-use history influences soil biogeochemical responses to nitrogen, underscoring the importance of site-specific fertilization in mitigating emissions and promoting sustainability in the Cerrado.