Remote measurement of gaseous pollutant concentrations using a mobile Fourier transform interferometer system.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Analytical Chemistry
• Spectroscopy

Background:

• Gaseous pollutant monitoring is crucial for environmental protection and public health.
• Traditional monitoring methods can be limited in scope and mobility.
• The need for real-time, in-situ measurements at various locations is increasing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To deploy and evaluate a mobile Fourier transform interferometer system for measuring gaseous pollutants.
• To assess the system's capability for both long-path absorption and single-ended emission measurements.
• To determine the detection limits and effective range of the system for various pollutants.

Main Methods:

• A commercial Fourier transform interferometer with telescopic optics was van-mounted.
• The system operated in the infrared spectral region (650 cm⁻¹ to 6000 cm⁻¹) with a resolution of 0.06 cm⁻¹.
• Long-path absorption and single-ended emission measurements were conducted at diverse geographical locations.

Main Results:

• The mobile system successfully performed absorption measurements near fertilizer plants, oil refineries, and jet engine plumes.
• Emission measurements were conducted on industrial stacks, waste gas flares, and jet engine plumes.
• Pollutant concentrations in the 1-10 parts-per-billion (ppb) range were detectable over a 1-km path length for many substances.

Conclusions:

• The mobile Fourier transform interferometer system is a versatile tool for environmental pollutant monitoring.
• The system demonstrates effective detection capabilities for gaseous pollutants in diverse industrial and environmental settings.
• This technology enables flexible, remote sensing of air quality over significant distances.