UAV Emissions Monitoring via Exhaust Plume Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods lack a reliable and cost-efficient way to monitor and enforce emissions from vessels, particularly in Sulphur Emission Control Areas (SECAs), as existing technologies are either invasive, inaccurate, or not feasible for real-time enforcement.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with sensors and an electronic control system to determine emissions in a vessel's exhaust plume by identifying the vessel, determining meteorological conditions, and adjusting flight trajectories for precise in situ measurements of gas concentrations and particle counts, allowing for non-invasive, real-time monitoring and enforcement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional aircraft-based systems are used to gather pollution data, then emissions can be monitored, but the cost and complexity of the system increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as temporary, cost-effective platforms for emissions monitoring instead of expensive traditional aircraft. The UAVs are deployed for specific monitoring missions and can be recovered or replaced, providing reliable emissions data without the high operational costs and complexity of manned aircraft systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical aircraft-based monitoring systems with UAVs equipped with electronic sensors and automated control systems. This substitution reduces operational complexity, eliminates the need for human operators, and enables more flexible deployment for emissions monitoring tasks.
2Measurement precision
If invasive measurement methods are used on vessels, then accurate emissions data can be obtained, but the operation becomes complex and requires on-board equipment and personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses UAVs as intermediary platforms to collect emissions data from vessels without requiring direct contact or on-board installation. The UAVs fly through the exhaust plumes of vessels, sampling emissions in the atmosphere, thereby obtaining accurate measurement data while maintaining operational simplicity and avoiding interference with vessel operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the measurement function from the vessel itself and relocates it to an external UAV platform. This extraction eliminates the need for on-board equipment and personnel while maintaining measurement accuracy, as the UAV independently samples and analyzes emissions in the vessel's exhaust plume.
3Productivity
If existing emission control methods are implemented, then some emissions data can be gathered, but real-time enforcement and immediate detection of non-compliance are not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements real-time feedback mechanisms where UAVs continuously monitor emissions data, transmit it to central authorities, and enable immediate detection of non-compliant fuel usage. This feedback loop allows enforcement agencies to respond promptly to violations, enhancing both monitoring efficiency and enforcement reliability in real-time.
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
Enables accurate, cost-effective, and non-invasive monitoring of vessel emissions, ensuring compliance with emission regulations by providing precise data on gas concentrations and particle counts, eliminating the need for on-board equipment and personnel, and allowing immediate detection of non-compliant fuel usage in SECAs.
Implementation Method 1
at least one sensor for determining emissions in the atmosphere surrounding the vehicle
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for determining emissions in an exhaust plume (11) produced by a combustion engine of a vessel (10) during cruise of the vessel (10), said emissions comprising the presence or concentration of carbon dioxide (C02) and/or sulphur dioxide (S02) and/or the count and size of particles. The position and distribution of the exhaust plume (11) is determined or estimated on the basis of the position, bearing and speed of the vessel (10) and further on the basis of meteorological data, such as wind direction and speed. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) (12), i.e. a so-called drone, is controlled to fly through the plume (11) to make measurements of exhaust emissions of the vessel (10).