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Multiphysics-chemical coupling simulation and performance evaluation of photocatalytic methane removal system

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  • Wang, Qinggang
  • Zhang, Ouyue
  • Yang, Xinyi
  • Ming, Tingzhen
  • Wu, Yongjia

Abstract

With growing concerns over atmospheric methane emissions, photocatalytic technologies offer a promising solution for methane removal. This study investigated the effects of operating temperature (To) and inlet volume flow rate (Qin) on the performance of atmospheric methane photocatalytic systems using cylindrical and elliptical posts. A comprehensive evaluation framework based on an improved three-level criteria decision-making method was developed to assess the methane removal performance of 21 schemes. The results indicated that increasing To negatively affected the system environmental, techno-economic, and energetic performance, primarily due to the exothermic nature of the photocatalytic reaction. Though increasing Qin improved the CH4 purification rate (RPCH4) and saving to investment (SIR), higher Qin resulted in incomplete reactions, reducing photocatalytic efficiency (ηCH4). Among the cylindrical posts, the random distribution achieved the best performance, with RPCH4 of 1.4 × 10−8 g/s, a SIR of 2.47, and a ηCH4 of 59.50 %. For the elliptical posts, the ordered distribution at 90° performed best, with a RPCH4 of 1.2 × 10−8 g/s, a SIR of 2.27, and a ηCH4 of 55.36 %. This study provided a foundation for the multi-objective optimization exploration to enhance system overall performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Wang, Qinggang & Zhang, Ouyue & Yang, Xinyi & Ming, Tingzhen & Wu, Yongjia, 2025. "Multiphysics-chemical coupling simulation and performance evaluation of photocatalytic methane removal system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 326(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:326:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225020055
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.136363
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