UAV Wind Sensor Offset for Emission Rate Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining emissions from sources, such as fugitive and diffuse emissions, are limited by reliance on costly and inaccurate techniques, particularly in measuring wind conditions and correlating gas concentrations with wind components in time and space, leading to significant uncertainties in emission rate estimations.
Innovation Solution
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with emissions sensors and wind sensors positioned offset from the center to account for dynamic wind impacts, allowing for simultaneous measurement of gas concentrations and wind speed/direction, enabling precise correlation and calculation of emission rates across a vertical inspection area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If wind sensors are positioned at the center of the UAV, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of wind conditions deteriorates due to dynamic wind impacts from the UAV itself
Solution Approach 1:
The wind sensor is extracted from the central UAV structure and positioned on an extended boom or mast at a distance from the UAV body. This spatial separation removes the sensor from the disturbing aerodynamic environment created by the UAV, allowing accurate wind measurements without requiring complex compensation algorithms or multiple sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The boom or mast acts as an intermediary structure that physically connects the UAV to the wind sensor while maintaining spatial separation. This intermediary element allows the sensor to be positioned in a location where it can measure ambient wind conditions without being directly affected by the UAV's aerodynamic wake and propeller wash.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to account for dynamic wind impacts, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using multiple sensors on the UAV body, the solution extracts the wind measurement function to a single sensor positioned remotely on an extended structure. This single remote sensor replaces what would otherwise require multiple sensors distributed across the UAV, simplifying the overall system while achieving the same measurement objectives.
3Reliability
If wind data is collected from stationary meteorological stations, then the reliability of wind measurements is improved, but the ability to correlate wind data with moving emission plumes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wind measurement system transitions from a static meteorological station to a dynamic sensor platform that moves with the UAV. The wind sensor on the extended boom maintains a stable relative position to the emission plume being tracked, enabling continuous spatial-temporal correlation between wind conditions and plume location throughout the inspection area.
Solution Approach 2:
The moving UAV with its remote wind sensor acts as a mobile intermediary between the emission source and the measurement system. This mobile platform captures wind data in situ at each location where plume measurements are taken, providing locally-relevant wind information that accurately reflects the conditions affecting plume dispersion at each measurement point.
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
This approach provides a cost-efficient and reliable method to quantify and locate emissions independently, reducing uncertainties by accurately measuring wind and gas data in real-time, thereby improving the precision of emission rate calculations.
Implementation Method 1
at least one emissions sensor for determining the presence or concentration of at least one gas and/or particles
Implementation Method 2
at least one wind sensor for determining measured wind speed and measured wind direction
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for determining emissions from at least one source by inspection at an inspection area. The emissions include the presence or concentration of at least one predetermined gas and/or particles. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and the collection of wind data is obtained by a moving UAV using at least one wind sensor.