Characterising the performance of a drone-mounted real-time methane imaging system

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Remote Sensing
• Optical Engineering

Background:

• Methane (CH4) gas leaks pose significant environmental and safety risks.
• Accurate and timely detection of methane is crucial for mitigation efforts.
• Existing detection methods may have limitations in range, real-time capability, or environmental adaptability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and demonstrate a novel methane gas imaging system mounted on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
• To achieve real-time airborne detection of methane gas.
• To assess the system's performance in realistic sensing environments and against various back-scatter surfaces.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a methane gas imaging system integrated with a UAV.
• Employed laser diodes for scene illumination, switching between on- and off-resonance with a methane absorption line.
• Captured images using an infrared InGaAs camera.
• Analyzed the differential of on- and off-resonance back-scatter images to map gas distribution.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated real-time methane gas detection capabilities from an airborne platform up to 10 meters.
• Characterized system performance against diverse back-scatter surfaces, indicating applicability in realistic scenarios.
• Achieved detection of a methane concentration of 5000 ppm·m at a range of 13.6 meters.

Conclusions:

• The UAV-mounted methane gas imaging system offers a promising solution for real-time, remote gas leak detection.
• The system's ability to function in realistic environments and detect significant gas concentrations highlights its practical utility.
• This technology can enhance safety and environmental monitoring by enabling rapid identification of methane sources.