Methane gas measurement

Methane (CH₄) is a organic gas belonging to the hydrocarbon family. It is the main component of natural gas and biogas , but can also be emitted during biological processes (anaerobic fermentation, digestion) or industrial processes (refining, waste storage, chemical processes).
Due to its high global warming potential (GWP = 28 to 34 times that of CO₂) , the accurate measurement of methane has become crucial for the energy, environmental, and agri-food .

Measuring gaseous methane thus allows us to assess:

• The performance of anaerobic digesters and the quality of the biogas produced,
• Leaks or fugitive emissions in industrial processes,
• The composition of fermentation or packaging gases,
• Environmental monitoring of emissions into the air, soil or effluents.

Analytical methods for measuring methane

At YesWeLab, the measurement of gaseous methane is carried out by gas chromatography (GC) , a reference method for the separation and quantification of volatile compounds.

The main approaches used are:

• GC-TCD (thermal conductivity detector) : a robust and universal method for measuring methane in gas mixtures or biogas without complex pretreatment.
• GC-FID (flame ionization detector) : a technique adapted to matrices containing light hydrocarbons for finer quantification.
• GC-MS (gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry) : recommended for complex samples requiring specific identification of methane or its associated compounds (ethane, propane, CO₂, H₂S).

These analyses are carried out according to international standards such as ISO 6974-1:2012 (analysis of natural gas by chromatography), ASTM D1945 , or EN 15446 for fugitive gas measurements.

Industrial and environmental applications

Methane measurement is used in many fields:

• Biogas and energy recovery : monitoring of production and yield of methanizers, evaluation of the calorific value of biogas.
• Food processing industry : control of gaseous emissions during fermentation, storage or packaging under a protective atmosphere.
• Environment and climate : measurement of methane emissions in the air, soil and water, particularly in wastewater treatment plants, landfills or agricultural operations.
• Packaging and materials : detection of permeability or gas release in polymer films used for food packaging.

Regulatory framework and compliance issues

Methane monitoring is governed by several mechanisms:

• European Directive 2010/75/EU (IED) on industrial emissions,
• Regulation (EU) 2018/842 on greenhouse gas emission reductions,
• ISO 14064 standard on the quantification and verification of greenhouse gases.

The industries concerned must measure, report and reduce their CH₄ emissions , as part of their environmental commitments or ISO 14001 certifications.

Affected matrices

• Biogas, natural gas and fermentation gas
• Packaging atmospheres and storage chambers
• Gaseous effluents, ambient air, or environmental samples
• Polymer materials and containment systems

Recommended Related Analyses

For a complete assessment of gaseous composition and material behavior, YesWeLab recommends combining methane measurement with other complementary analyses:

• Carbon dioxide (CO₂) analysis : an essential joint measurement in biogas and fermentation processes.
• Ethane and propane analysis : characterization of light hydrocarbons in natural and industrial gases,
• Permeability testing of polymer films : control of airtight packaging,
• Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and DSC : characterization of materials subjected to gas release.

YesWeLab Expertise

Since 2020, YesWeLab has been supporting companies in managing and conducting their environmental and industrial analyses .
Thanks to a network of accredited partner laboratories (ISO 17025, COFRAC) and its digital platform , YesWeLab simplifies the ordering, tracking, and delivery of analyses.

• Rapid sample handling
• Selection of the laboratory best suited to the matrix,
• Reliable and traceable results in accordance with international standards.

Need to measure the methane content in your gaseous samples or materials?
personalized quote now from the YesWeLab .