Is this the miracle solution to methane emissions?

Graphene has so much potential that it sounds like science fiction. It’s stronger, lighter and more conductive than anything we use today. Add in the fact that it could be created from one of our worst greenhouse gases and it sounds like a fantasy. But not only is LOOP very real, it works, and could be producing as much graphene as we need within the next five years.

How does LOOP work?

It’s rather complicated, but in as simple terms as possible, LOOP puts methane in a big jar and fires electromagnetic waves at it. That turns the methane into plasma, which then splits into its constituent parts. In this case, hydrogen and carbon. 

The hydrogen can be syphoned off and the graphene falls to the bottom and can be collected and reused. 

What is graphene?

Graphene is a simple material of carbon atoms. Carbon is the most abundant molecule on earth and what you and I are largely made of. The fact that it makes up a large part of all plant and animal life means that when that is burned as a fossil fuel it releases harmful CO2.

But graphene is pure carbon. It was discovered in Manchester in the early 2000s, and is made up of a single layer of molecules. So incredible was the graphene’s discovery that those that made the breakthrough won a Nobel prize.

Graphene is made up of graphite, a stable form of carbon that you would probably know best for being in the middle of a pencil (no, they don’t use lead anymore). The theory that a single layer of it could form a strong and stable material has been around for decades, but it wasn’t until 2004 that professors at the University of Manchester managed to make it real.

Why is graphene so good?

Graphene is something of a wonder material. It is lighter than aluminium, stronger than steel and more conductive than copper. As a result the possibilities for its use are incredible. 

According to Levidian, graphene could be added to tyres to make them more durable. There’s also the expectation that, with its incredible conductivity, it could revolutionise battery technology. Not only could it improve battery life (with some expecting up to ten times increase) it might reduce the need to mine rare-earth minerals such as cobalt. 

Levidian also says that graphene, with its light weight and strength, could be used to replace some cement in concrete, greatly reducing the carbon impact of building, and it even has possibilities in medical treatments.

Why is LOOP so special?

Until now we have known of the potential uses for graphene, but ever since it was proven that you could make it, the big challenge has been making enough of it (the original discovery involved creating some on a small piece of Sellotape...). Levidian says that with its LOOP system in place, it could be producing up to 50,000 tonnes a year by 2030, all while reducing carbon emissions.

What is methane?

Methane is a form of hydrocarbon that exists mainly as a gas. It doesn’t survive for as long in the atmosphere as CO2 does, but has a far greater warming effect on the planet while it is there. 

Scientists believe that the vast majority of methane in the atmosphere is produced by us. For example, farming creates methane, not just cow farts, but also rotting vegetation used for fertiliser. It’s also created by our waste disposal, landfill decomposes and releases methane, and of course is often released by the oil and gas industry.

One current solution is to burn methane before it gets into the atmosphere. But, while this does reduce methane emissions, it releases more CO2. With Levidian’s LOOP, there would be no extra CO2 released as the methane is broken down into its constituent parts.

Does LOOP produce anything else?

Just hydrogen, which itself is a very useful gas. Hydrogen can be packaged up and used to burn to power anything from cars to airplanes. And of course the only waste product from hydrogen combustion is water, adding no extra CO2 to the atmosphere.

Is the system being used anywhere yet?

Not in its full major scale, but it’s already been used at two sites in the UK. One is with United Utilities in Manchester where it captures waste methane from the water processing process, the other is at Worthy Farm, home of Glastonbury Festival. At Worthy Farm, Levidian captured methane from cow slurry, which Levidian says has created the world’s first carbon negative hydrogen production.

Why have I heard of Levidian before?

Levidian displayed its technology at last year’s Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard in Future Lab presented by Randox.