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Vertical Distribution Mapping for Methane Fugitive Emissions Using Laser Path-Integral Sensing in Non-Cooperative
Di Wang1,2, Yushuang Li1,2, Yu Pu3
1School of Physics and Electronic Engineering, Northeast Petroleum University, Daqing 163318, China.
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
|February 24, 2024
Summary
This study introduces a new method using laser sensing and computer-assisted tomography (CAT) to map methane emissions from oil/gas facilities. The technique accurately visualizes vertical methane diffusion, aiding in pollution transport prediction and source quantification.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Atmospheric Chemistry
- Optical Sensing
Background:
- Methane fugitive emissions from oil/gas facilities pose significant environmental challenges.
- Accurate monitoring of methane's vertical diffusion is crucial for predicting its transport and quantifying emission sources.
- Existing methods may lack the precision needed for detailed spatial and temporal analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a novel method for mapping the vertical diffusion distribution of methane fugitive emissions.
- To combine laser path-integral sensing with computer-assisted tomography (CAT) for enhanced emission monitoring.
- To improve the accuracy and reliability of methane emission source quantification.
Main Methods:
- Utilized laser path-integral sensing in non-cooperative open paths with a self-made miniaturized Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (TDELAS) telemetry sensor.
- Adapted the dynamic relaxation and simultaneous algebraic reconstruction technique (DR-SART) for methane emission distribution reconstruction.
- Employed a vertical-plume-mapping optical path configuration and analyzed four projection configurations using a six-index system.
Main Results:
- The multiple fan-beams combined with parallel-beam modes (MFPM) optical path configuration demonstrated superior performance, with a reconstruction similarity coefficient (ε) at least 22.4% higher than other configurations.
- Reconstruction errors for maximum concentration (γ) remained consistently around 0.05 across different methane gas bag layouts.
- Positional errors of maximum concentration (δ) were within the range of 0.01 to 0.025.
Conclusions:
- The proposed method effectively maps methane's vertical diffusion distribution, offering significant improvements in accuracy and reliability.
- The MFPM configuration is recommended for optimal reconstruction performance in methane emission monitoring.
- Extending sensor measurement time on single optical paths can mitigate mechanical vibration impacts, enhancing reconstruction accuracy.
