580 California St., Suite 400
San Francisco, CA, 94104
Key research themes
1. How can integration and optimization strategies reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve energy efficiency in refinery fuel gas networks?
This research theme focuses on methods to integrate flare gas streams into refinery fuel gas networks (FGNs) to minimize natural gas consumption and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It also investigates mathematical modeling and optimization of FGNs to improve energy efficiency and economic profitability in refinery operations, which matters for environmental compliance and cost savings in energy-intensive industries.
Key finding: Integration of flare gas streams into refinery fuel gas networks leads to a 12% reduction in natural gas consumption compared to non-integrated flare gas cases, and a 27.7% decrease compared to base cases without FGNs.... Read more
Key finding: Optimization methodologies applied to gas pipeline networks—including natural gas fuel gas supply lines—can improve pipeline operating conditions by addressing flow variability and pressure constraints, thereby enhancing... Read more
Key finding: Interviews with industry stakeholders identify that establishing energy hubs incorporating oil and gas infrastructures requires extensive investments, regulatory frameworks, and international cooperation. Energy hubs serve as... Read more
2. What are the safety, operational, and material challenges in developing mixed fuel gas systems involving natural gas, hydrogen, and ammonia for transport and energy hubs?
This theme explores the technical and safety considerations related to blending natural gas with hydrogen and ammonia, assessing flame stability, combustion characteristics, toxic and flammability risks, and pipeline material impacts. Such studies are critical to advancing multi-carrier fuel networks and energy hubs aiming to leverage low-carbon fuels and facilitate energy transition without compromising system integrity and public safety.
Key finding: The study quantifies hazard zones resulting from uncontrolled release of natural gas and ammonia mixtures during pipeline transport, emphasizing the increased toxicity and flammability risks from ammonia addition.... Read more
Key finding: Hydrogen blending up to 20 mol% in natural gas pipelines is demonstrated to be safe in distribution and end-use without requiring significant infrastructure modifications. Experimental projects such as HyDeploy confirm normal... Read more
Key finding: Analysis of gas boosting systems for hydrogen storage shows that pneumatic actuators used in conventional hydrogen gas boosters suffer from energy losses due to exhaust gas expansion during return strokes. Improving the... Read more
3. How can natural gas vehicles and their refueling infrastructure be optimized and integrated to accelerate the transition to low-carbon transportation?
This theme investigates the development, performance, and integration of compressed natural gas vehicles (CNGVs) alongside refueling infrastructure, focusing on vehicle fuel system design, economic and environmental benefits, and infrastructure planning. It addresses operational improvements in drivetrains, fuel supply systems, and technological advancements in refueling stations to support the scaling of natural gas as a transport fuel and its eventual integration with renewable gases within energy hubs.
Key finding: Upgrading gas-cylinder equipment (GCE), particularly transitioning to fourth-generation GCE with individual cylinder gas injectors, increases efficiency, reduces toxic emissions by a factor of five, and lowers fuel noise... Read more
Key finding: This paper reviews technical and economic aspects of CNG refueling stations, identifying fast-fill and slow-fill systems and their components. It finds that refueling technology complexity and costs represent major barriers... Read more
Key finding: Development of efficient, high-torque in-wheel motor reducers (planetary and cycloidal) in battery electric vehicles (BEVs) allows for reduced motor size and improved vehicle handling and efficiency. While focused on electric... Read more
Key finding: The study finds that existing natural gas fueling infrastructure for medium and heavy-duty fleets offers synergies for incorporating renewable natural gas and hydrogen, facilitating transition to near-zero emissions. It... Read more
Key finding: The paper estimates vast natural gas reserves, including conventional and unconventional sources like gas hydrates, projecting plentiful supply to support increasing NG vehicle demand. It underscores that innovative reserves... Read more