Capturing methane in a barn environment: The CH4 Livestock Emission (CH4rLiE) project

The CH4 Livestock Emission (CH4rLiE) project explores the development of a prototype system for capturing methane emissions in barn environments, offering an alternative approach to mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from livestock farming. Methane (CH4), with a global warming potential signifi- cantly higher than CO2 (GWP100 = 27), accounts for∼23% of anthropogenic climate impact. In 2021, The Assessment Report 6 of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change quantified CH4 livestock emissions in 123 Mt/yr, which, together with substantial N2O and CO2 emissions, contributed with a 12% to global emissions. Unlike strategies focused on altering animal feed, CH4rLiE investigates post-emission capture using porous materials, such as zeolites, to adsorb methane from barn air. The project draws on CERN’s experience with gas recovery systems for particle detectors, adapting sim- ilar technologies to agricultural settings. Preliminary estimates, based on measured CH4 concentrations (∼20 mg/m3) and partial air filtration in a 250-animal barn, suggest a low but detectable recovery potential, subject to validation through simulation and in-situ testing. Prototype develop- ment considers the potential for energy-efficient operation - possibly through pressure swing regeneration - and compatibility with existing ventilation in- frastructure, though these aspects remain under evaluation. If methane con- centrations in barns prove too diluted, the system may be better suited for environments with higher gas levels, such as pigsties or landfills. NH3 cap- ture for fertilizer production is planned as a future enhancement. CH4rLiE aims to assess the feasibility of emission recovery in livestock settings with- out affecting animal welfare, contributing to sustainable farming practices, resource efficiency, and circular bioeconomy goals.