Spaceborne SWIR Imaging for Remote Flared Gas Quantification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for estimating gas flared at industrial sites rely on on-site sensors, which are not always feasible, and there is a need for a more efficient and accurate method to quantify gas flaring emissions without on-site measurements.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing SWIR images from spaceborne image sensors to detect and quantify flared gas by segmenting pixels representing heated atmosphere, employing a model established with calibration images and optionally using a fully convolutional neural network for segmentation, eliminating the need for on-site measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If on-site sensors are used to measure gas flared quantities, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses SWIR images from spaceborne sensors as a remote copy or representation of the gas flaring situation, eliminating the need for physical on-site sensors. The images capture thermal radiation from flared gases, providing measurement data without requiring sensor deployment at the flaring location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical sensor-based measurement system with an optical/remote sensing system. Instead of using physical sensors deployed at gas flaring sites, the invention uses SWIR imaging technology from spaceborne platforms to detect and quantify flared gases through their thermal radiation signatures.
2Measurement precision
If on-site sensors are deployed to monitor gas flaring, then measurement accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to installation and maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The spaceborne SWIR imaging system performs measurements autonomously without requiring human intervention for sensor deployment, installation, or maintenance at the monitoring location. The system serves itself by continuously capturing images from orbit, automatically providing gas flaring quantity data without on-site operational support.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses remote copying of the flaring site through SWIR images, eliminating the need for physical sensor deployment and subsequent maintenance operations. The image-based approach provides continuous monitoring capability without the operational burden of managing on-site sensing equipment.
3Device complexity
If SWIR images are used to estimate gas flared quantities, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision may deteriorate compared to on-site sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the measurement approach by changing from direct local measurement to remote thermal radiation detection. By utilizing the thermal properties of flared gases in the SWIR spectrum and establishing calibration models that relate image characteristics to gas quantities, the system achieves acceptable measurement precision through parameter transformation and mathematical modeling.
Solution Approach 2:
The SWIR images act as an intermediary between the gas flaring source and the measurement system. Instead of directly measuring gas properties with on-site sensors, the patent uses thermal radiation captured in SWIR images as an intermediate representation, which is then processed through calibration models to estimate gas flared quantities.
4Ease of operation
If spaceborne SWIR imaging is used for gas flaring monitoring, then ease of operation is improved by eliminating on-site sensor requirements, but measurement precision deteriorates due to remote sensing limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent compensates for remote sensing limitations by changing measurement parameters - using SWIR spectral bands that are sensitive to thermal radiation from flared gases, and establishing calibration models that account for atmospheric conditions, sensor characteristics, and geometric factors to maintain measurement precision despite the remote sensing approach.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Accurately estimates gas flared quantities without on-site sensors, providing a cost-effective and reliable method for monitoring gas flaring emissions.
Implementation Method 1
Flared gases usually have temperatures above 1300 Kelvin degrees (K). Such temperature levels can be detected in SWIR wavelengths, i.e. wavelengths between 1000 nanometers (nm) and 3000 nm.
Implementation Method 2
the gas burned at a gas flare will also increase substantially the temperature of the surrounding atmosphere, such that the surrounding areas which have been heated by the flared gas can also be detected in the SWIR images
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a computer implemented method (10) for estimating a quantity of gas flared at a gas flaring site, wherein said method comprises: - (S10) obtaining a SWIR estimation image of the gas flaring site, said estimation image acquired by a spaceborne image sensor and comprising pixels representing a radiation measured in a short-wave infrared, SWIR, wavelength band; - (S11) segmenting the estimation image by detecting pixels which represent flared gas heated atmosphere, thereby obtaining a segmented estimation image; - (S12) determining a surface of flared gas heated atmosphere based on the segmented estimation image; and - (S13) determining the quantity of flared gas based on the surface of flared gas heated atmosphere, by using a model associating surfaces of flared gas heated atmosphere with corresponding quantities of flared gas quantities.