arXiv subjects

Alessandro Tamigio

Publications and source records attributed to Alessandro Tamigio.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Application of LHC Gas Recuperation Systems for Methane Emission Control in Livestock Housing

The CH4rLiE (CH4 Livestock Emission) project investigates the technical feasibility of adapting gas recovery systems from high-energy physics to mitigate methane (CH4) emissions in livestock housing. This work presents a proof-of-principle based on the adaptation of CERN's gas recuperation systems for the capture of CH4 at low concentrations. A laboratory-scale prototype was developed to evaluate the performance of various adsorbent materials under realistic conditions, including multi-stage humidity removal and pressurized gas flows. Experimental results obtained with the prototype led to the selection of commercial Z5 zeolite as the primary adsorbent due to its high adsorption capacity and stable regeneration performance through Vacuum Swing Adsorption cycles. The study demonstrates the feasibility of CH4 capture at concentrations down to 0.1%. Furthermore, it was observed that increasing the CH4 partial pressure enhances the adsorption capacity, with tests conducted up to approximately 5 bar. To bridge the gap between laboratory conditions and the representative 10-100 ppm levels found in dairy barn environments, a negative exponential extrapolation was applied to the experimental data. This allowed for the modeling of the adsorption behavior in the ultra-low concentration regime. These results validate the operational principle and provide the necessary parameters for the design of a full-scale system for field installation.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2025

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 significantly 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 similar 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 development considers the potential for energy-efficient operation - possibly through pressure swing regeneration - and compatibility with existing ventilation infrastructure, though these aspects remain under evaluation. If methane concentrations in barns prove too diluted, the system may be better suited for environments with higher gas levels, such as pigsties or landfills. NH3 capture for fertilizer production is planned as a future enhancement. CH4rLiE aims to assess the feasibility of emission recovery in livestock settings without affecting animal welfare, contributing to sustainable farming practices, resource efficiency, and circular bioeconomy goals.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2025

First complete characterization of an X-Ray tube through combined measurements and Geant4 simulations

X-ray tubes are sources of X-rays used in various fields, ranging from radiographic imaging in medical physics to the characterization of detectors in particle physics. This article presents a method for the complete characterization of the Mini-X2 X-Ray tube from AMETEK, an X-ray source later used to characterize gas detectors in laboratory. Using data provided by the manual, we derive key operational parameters of the tube, such as the photon emission rate and the relationship between emissive power and supplied current. Based on this characterization, we determine the air dose rate as well as the absorbed dose rate within a given volume at various distances from the source. We derive this dose experimentally, theoretically and through simulations and find good agreement between these. To enable safe operation in a laboratory environment and to support experimental comparisons, a shielding system was developed. Finally, it will be illustrated how the shielding containing the Mini-X2 has been designed, exploiting the simulation power of the Geant4 software.

physics.ins-det↗