Long-open-path fixed continuous methane emission monitor

Shin-Juh Chen; Michael B. Frish; Nicholas F. Aubut

doi:10.1117/12.2663633

15 June 2023 Long-open-path fixed continuous methane emission monitor

Shin-Juh Chen, Michael B. Frish, Nicholas F. Aubut

Proceedings Volume 12516, Next-Generation Spectroscopic Technologies XV; 125160U (2023) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2663633
Event: SPIE Defense + Commercial Sensing, 2023, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

There are 100,000’s of oil and gas storage tanks and tank batteries at upstream production sites. These sites have shown to be inadvertent, intermittent, generally unmonitored, high flow rate (flux) methane emitters; their emission rates are poorly quantified. Flux measurements are inhibited by the difficulty to directly access emission sources, instrument limitations and high-cost, and inability to distinguish between unintentional fugitive emission events (leaks) versus routine venting from pneumatic valves and compressors. Novel cost-effective and reliable continuous quantitative methane flux measurement technologies are needed to address these challenges. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, and emissions from these sites need to be detected and prioritized for repairs based on emission rates. This paper describes a continuous methane emission monitor that combines our easily-installed high-speed laser-based long-open-path sensor, the Remote Emissions Monitor (REM), with a unique and novel fast laser beam scanning mechanism to create “flux planes” along site perimeters. This Enhanced REM (eREM) directly measures and reports emission rates (e.g. scfh) of methane plumes transported through the flux plane at about 1Hz without the need for plume modeling. The inherent temporal resolution enables novel statistical data processing that identifies routine vents and distinguishes them from unintended emissions. The simplicity of design, ease of installation, and minimal maintenance enable economically attractive fast and accurate detection and quantification of methane leakage.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Shin-Juh Chen, Michael B. Frish, and Nicholas F. Aubut "Long-open-path fixed continuous methane emission monitor", Proc. SPIE 12516, Next-Generation Spectroscopic Technologies XV, 125160U (15 June 2023); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2663633

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available