Gas Emission Triangulation Using Sensor and Wind Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing manual methods for monitoring fugitive gas emissions from industrial facilities are time-consuming, expensive, and inaccurate, failing to provide precise quantification and location of gas emissions due to their error-prone nature.

Innovation Solution

A method and system utilizing a network of gas sensors and weather stations to triangulate gas emission locations, employing models like Gaussian Plume and event probability to estimate emission size, reducing the need for manual intervention and improving accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual monitoring methods are used with hand-held detection devices, then technicians can directly observe and record gas emissions, but the process becomes very time-consuming and expensive requiring up to 25 full-time technicians

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemission detection capabilityVSAvoidmonitoring time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical monitoring with an automated sensor network system. Multiple fixed gas sensors, weather stations, and a processing device work together to automatically detect, track, and quantify emissions without human intervention, eliminating the need for technicians to physically patrol and manually record data

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-monitoring through automated data collection from sensors and weather stations, with the processing device independently correlating data to triangulate emission locations and calculate emission rates. The system serves itself by continuously operating without requiring human technicians for data collection and analysis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If manual monitoring is performed infrequently such as once a quarter or once a year, then resource requirements are reduced, but the accuracy and reliability of emission data deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring efficiencyVSAvoidemission data accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous monitoring through a network of fixed gas sensors and weather stations that operate without interruption. The system continuously collects gas concentration data, weather data, and correlates this information in real-time to track emissions, ensuring uninterrupted and reliable data collection at all times

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The automated sensor network replaces manual periodic monitoring, enabling continuous operation without human intervention. The processing device continuously correlates sensor data with weather data to maintain accurate, real-time emission assessments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of information

If manual monitoring methods are used, then equipment and asset inventory can be assessed, but the results are too vague or inaccurate to provide meaningful location and quantifiable size for gas emissions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemission location and size dataVSAvoidemission quantification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses triangulation by correlating data from multiple sensors positioned at different locations with wind speed and direction data from weather stations. This multi-dimensional approach transforms vague manual observations into precise three-dimensional location and quantifiable emission size data

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The processing device acts as an intermediary that correlates gas sensor data with weather station data to calculate emission parameters. This intermediary processing transforms raw sensor readings into meaningful location and emission size information that cannot be obtained through manual observation alone

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If a network of gas sensors and weather stations is deployed to automate emission monitoring, then accuracy and efficiency improve, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring efficiencyVSAvoidsensor network complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs multi-functional components where the processing device performs data collection, correlation, triangulation, and emission calculation functions. The weather stations provide both meteorological data and serve as reference points for triangulation, while gas sensors detect emissions and contribute to location determination through their spatial distribution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12517102B2Method and system to determine the size of a gas emission expelled from a processing facility

Publication Date: 2026.01.06 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

A method and system for determining the size of a gas emission expelled from a processing facility includes obtaining gas sensor data from a plurality of gas sensors and wind speed and direction data from at least one weather station located at the processing facility. The wind speed and direction data is correlated with the gas sensor data to triangulate a location of the gas emission. A mean concentration of the gas emission is calculated, and the size of the gas emission is estimated by using at least one of a base calculation model, a gaussian plume (GP) model fit, or an event probability model fit.