New publication Best practices in CH4 emission quantification employing mobile measurements and modelling at a biogas plants
Julia Wietzel and coauthors present a systematic evaluation of emission estimates for methane based on mobile measurements of Gaussian Plumes from biogas plants
A recent article published in Atmospheric Measurement Techniques presents a comprehensive method for quantifying methane (CH4) emissions from point source (e.g biogas plant). The study, conducted by Julia Wietzel, Martina Schmidt and co-workers evaluates the robustness and uncertainty of mobile CH4 measurements combined with a Gaussian plume model (GPM).
Over the course of eight years, the team carried out 26 mobile measurement campaigns to a biogas plant and six controlled CH4 release experiments under varying meteorological and operational conditions. The controlled release tests were used to establish recommendations on optimal sampling strategies, instrument setup, and data evaluation. Under optimized conditions, this method achieved uncertainties below 30% for CH4 emission estimates of point sources. This study offers practical guidance for planning and conducting mobile CH4 measurement campaigns.
Wietzel, J. B., Korben, P., Hoheisel, A., and Schmidt, M.: Best practices and uncertainties in CH4 emission quantification: employing mobile measurements and Gaussian plume modelling at a biogas plant, Atmos. Meas. Tech., 18, 4631–4645, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-4631-2025, 2025.