UAS Emissions Estimation Using Trace-Gas and Weather Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods are inefficient in detecting and quantifying methane emissions from natural gas infrastructure and other sources, leading to undue product loss, environmental impact, and safety hazards due to spatially distributed leaks.
Innovation Solution
An unmanned aerial system (UAS) equipped with sensors measures trace-gas concentration along a flight path downwind of potential emission sources, combining data with meteorological data to determine emission rates using a control volume model, allowing for efficient localization and quantification of gas releases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional ground-based methods are used to detect methane emissions, then detection capability is limited, but system complexity and detection time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from ground-based detection to aerial detection using UAVs, moving the detection system into the three-dimensional space above the terrain. This dimensional change enables the UAV to access remote areas, overcome topographic obstacles, and detect emissions from distributed sources that are inaccessible or difficult to monitor from ground level, thereby improving detection capability while maintaining operational efficiency
2Productivity
If UAVs are deployed to detect trace gases, then detection efficiency improves, but data processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data processing task into distinct modules: trace gas concentration measurement, wind field parameter acquisition, emission rate calculation, and source attribution. By dividing the complex data processing into separate functional components, each handling specific aspects of the measurement and analysis, the system manages computational complexity while maintaining high detection efficiency through specialized processing for each parameter type
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive meteorological data is collected, then emission rate accuracy improves, but measurement complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the UAV platform with integrated sensors that simultaneously measure both trace gas concentrations and meteorological parameters (wind speed, wind direction, temperature, pressure) during a single flight operation. This consolidation of multiple measurement functions into one unified system eliminates the need for separate ground-based meteorological stations and manual measurements, thereby improving emission rate accuracy through comprehensive data collection while reducing overall measurement complexity through integration
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
The UAS provides accurate and efficient detection and quantification of methane emissions, reducing revenue loss and environmental footprint by identifying and attributing gas leaks in natural gas infrastructure and other sources.
Implementation Method 1
An unmanned aerial system (UAS) equipped with sensors measures trace-gas concentration along a flight path downwind of potential emission sources
Implementation Method 2
combining data with meteorological data to determine emission rates using a control volume model
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices, and methods including a processor having addressable memory, the processor configured to: receive a trace-gas data packet, where the trace-gas data packet comprises a trace-gas concentration data from a trace-gas sensor and a location data for the trace-gas sensor from a location sensor, where the location data for the trace-gas sensor comprises a trajectory of the trace-gas sensor in space; receive at least one Meteorological data packet from one or more weather stations, where each weather station is distal from the trace-gas sensor, where each weather station generates a corresponding Meteorological data packet, where each Meteorological data packet comprises weather data; combine the trace-gas data packet with a selected spatial and temporal Meteorological data packet; and determine a trace-gas emission rate of a trace-gas source based on the combined trace-gas data packet and the selected Meteorological data packet.