Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Multispecies Measurement Platform Using Absorption Spectroscopy for
Measurement
of Co-Emitted Trace Gases
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
100011 This application claims the priority benefit of U.S.
Provisional Patent
Application Serial Number 63/170,303 filed April 2, 2021, incorporated herein
by reference
in its entirety.
FIELD OF ENDEAVOR
100021 The invention relates generally to trace gases, and more
particularly to the
measurement of multiple trace gas species.
BACKGROUND
100031 Methane (CH4) is an odorless and colorless naturally
occurring organic
molecule, which is present in the atmosphere at average ambient levels of
approximately 1.85
ppm as of 2018 and is projected to continually climb. While methane is found
globally in the
atmosphere, a significant amount is collected or "produced" through
anthropogenic processes
including exploration, extraction, and distribution of petroleum in the form
of natural gas.
Methane is almost always present when other volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
are
released into the atmosphere, either due to natural or anthropogenic
processes. Natural gas, an
odorless and colorless gas, is a primary source of energy used to produce
electricity and heat.
The main component of natural gas is methane. While extraction of natural gas
is a large
source of methane released to the atmosphere, major contributors of methane
also include
livestock farming (enteric fermentation), and solid waste and wastewater
treatment
(anaerobic digestion). Optical cells may be used to detect methane and other
trace gases that
can be present coincidently.
SUMMARY
100041 A system embodiment may include: one or more optical
cavities; one or more
light sources configured to emit at least one of: a specified wavelength of
light and a band of
wavelengths of light into the one or more optical cavities such that the
emitted light travels
one or more path lengths over one or more distances from the light source,
where the one or
more light sources may be at least one of: tuned to a first trace gas species,
tuned to a second
trace gas species, and tuned to a continuous wavelength shifting between the
first trace gas
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species and the second trace gas species; and one or more photovoltaic
detectors configured
to receive the emitted light that has traveled over the one or more path
lengths, where the one
or more photovoltaic detectors may be configured to detect at least one of:
the first trace gas
species and the second trace gas species.
100051 In additional system embodiments, T the one or more
optical cavities comprise
at least one mirror. In additional system embodiments, the one or more optical
cavities
comprise at least two mirrors. In additional system embodiments, the one or
more light
sources comprise at least one of: a laser, a light-emitting diode (LED), a
superluminescent
diode (SLD), and a lamp. In additional system embodiments, the first trace gas
species
comprises at least one of: methane and carbon dioxide and the second trace gas
species
comprises at least one of: methane and carbon dioxide.
100061 In additional system embodiments, the one or more optical
cavities comprise
two optical cavities. In additional system embodiments, the one or more light
sources
comprise two light sources. In additional system embodiments, the one or more
photovoltaic
detectors comprise two photovoltaic detectors.
100071 Another system embodiment may include: an optical cavity;
a light source
configured to emit a specified band of wavelengths of light into the optical
cavity such that
the emitted light travels a path length over a distance from the light source,
where the light
source may be tuned to a continuous wavelength shifting between a first trace
gas species and
a second trace gas species; and a photovoltaic detector configured to receive
the emitted light
that has traveled over the path length, where the photovoltaic detector may be
configured to
detect the first trace gas species and the second trace gas species.
100081 Additional system embodiments may include: one or more
mirrors disposed in
the optical cavity. In additional system embodiments, the one or more light
sources comprise
at least one of: a laser, a light-emitting diode (LED), a superluminescent
diode (SLD), and a
lamp; where the first trace gas species comprises at least one of: methane and
carbon dioxide;
and where the second trace gas species comprises at least one of: methane and
carbon
dioxide.
100091 A method embodiment may include: gathering N species
concentrations
simultaneously downwind of an emissions source using one or more trace gas
sensors; using
from 1 to N-1 species as an uncontrolled tracer gas to determine an extent of
a source plume
downwind and cross-validate the concentration species measurements; and
attributing
emissions to one or more source equipment based on the cross-validated
concentration
measurements.
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100101 Additional method embodiments may include: using at least
one of: the N
species concentrations, a positional data, and a wind vector to quantify a
volumetric flux of
the emissions. Additional method embodiments may include: using the N species
concentrations, a positional data, and a wind vector to quantify a volumetric
flux of the
emissions. Additional method embodiments may include. using at least one of:
the N species
concentrations, a temperature, a pressure, a positional data, and a wind
vector to quantify a
mass flux. Additional method embodiments may include: using the N species
concentrations,
a temperature, a pressure, a positional data, and a wind vector to quantify a
mass flux.
100111 In additional method embodiments, the uncontrolled tracer
gas may be at least
one of: carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, and water vapor, and
where the
emissions may be methane. Additional method embodiments may include:
determining a
destruction efficiency of combustion sources based on the N species
concentrations.
Additional method embodiments may include: determining an efficiency of a
methanisation
process in a biogas production based on the N species concentrations.
Additional method
embodiments may include: determining an efficiency of a gas upgrade process in
a biogas
production based on the N species concentrations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
100121 The components in the figures are not necessarily to
scale, emphasis instead
being placed upon illustrating the principals of the invention. Like reference
numerals
designate corresponding parts throughout the different views. Embodiments are
illustrated by
way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings,
in which:
100131 FIG. IA depicts a cross-sectional view of a system having
two cavities for
separate carbon dioxide and methane measurements on a same conveyance
platform,
according to one embodiment.
100141 FIG. 1B depicts a perspective view of the system of FIG.
IA, according to one
embodiment.
100151 FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of a system having
one laser and one
detector in one cavity with the frequency adjusted to the absorption
frequencies of carbon
dioxide and methane, according to one embodiment.
100161 FIG. 3 depicts a cross-sectional view of a system having
one cavity with two
lasers and one detector, according to one embodiment.
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100171 FIG. 4 depicts a cross-sectional view of a system having
one cavity with two
lasers and two detectors, where the detectors are on the same side, according
to one
embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 5 depicts a cross-sectional view of a system having
one cavity with two
lasers and two detectors, where the detectors are on opposite sides, according
to one
embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 6 depicts a cross-sectional view of a system having
one cavity with one
laser and two detectors with one of the two detectors located behind a semi-
transparent facet,
according to one embodiment.
[0020] FIG. 7 depicts a system for detecting two or more species
of gas using a
quantification flight path, according to one embodiment.
[0021] FIG. 8 depicts a system for detecting two or more species
of gas using a
deflection flight path, according to one embodiment.
[0022] FIGS. 9A-9D depict high-level flowcharts of method
embodiments for multi-
species measurements for uncontrolled tracer gas verification, according to
one embodiment.
[0023] FIGS. 10A-10D depict functional block diagrams of systems
that determine a
concentration of two or more species of gas, according to several embodiments.
[0024] FIG. 11 depicts the use of wavelength modulated
spectroscopy (WMS) a
detector signal, if signal, 2f signal, and 2f/if signal, according to one
embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 12 depicts WMS-derived species concentration for two
samples based on
a peak wavelength, according to one embodiment.
[0026] FIG. 13 depicts WMS-derived species concentration for two
samples based on
a look-up table, according to one embodiment.
[0027] FIG. 14 depicts WMS-derived species concentration for two
samples based on
a non-linear regression and high-resolution transmission molecular absorption
(HITRAN)
database, according to one embodiment.
[0028] FIG. 15 depicts a carbon dioxide simulation near 2 ium,
according to one
embodiment.
[0029] FIG. 16 depicts a graph showing WMS, according to one
embodiment.
[0030] FIG. 17 depicts a downstream flare model, according to
one embodiment.
100311 FIG. 18 depicts a data-based flare model, according to
one embodiment.
[0032] FIG. 19 depicts carbon dioxide concentrations from flares
in a field test and
the equation for going from a volume integral to a surface integral
(Divergence theorem),
according to one embodiment.
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100331 FIG. 20 depicts wellpad measurements of carbon dioxide
and methane during
separate data acquisition flights, according to one embodiment.
[0034] FIG. 21 illustrates an example top-level functional block
diagram of a
computing device embodiment, according to one embodiment.
[0035] FIG. 22 shows a high-level block diagram and process of a
computing system
for implementing an embodiment of the system and process, according to one
embodiment.
[0036] FIG. 23 shows a block diagram and process of an exemplary
system in which
an embodiment may be implemented, according to one embodiment.
[0037] FIG. 24 depicts a cloud-computing environment for
implementing an
embodiment of the system and process disclosed herein, according to one
embodiment.
[0038] FIG. 25 depicts a system for detecting trace gases,
according to one
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0039] The following description is made for the purpose of
illustrating the general
principles of the embodiments discloses herein and is not meant to limit the
concepts
disclosed herein. Further, particular features described herein can be used in
combination
with other described features in each of the various possible combinations and
permutations.
Unless otherwise specifically defined herein, all terms are to be given their
broadest possible
interpretation including meanings implied from the description as well as
meanings
understood by those skilled in the art and/or as defined in dictionaries,
treatises, etc.
[0040] The present system allows for a measurement of carbon
dioxide (CO2)
alongside methane (CH4). The system may use tunable diode laser absorption
spectroscopy
(TDLAS) to measure co-emitted trace gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane.
The
system may use a combination of one or two cavities, one or two lasers, and
one or two
detectors. In some embodiments, the system may use a semi-transparent facet
for one of the
laser detectors.
[0041] The system may measure trace gas concentrations for the
two or more gas
species downwind of an emissions source. The system may be used to determine
the source
and concentration of the two or more gas species. While methane and carbon
dioxide are
shown as the two species, the process and mechanisms described below can be
extended to
multiple chemical species, depending upon the specific application and
environment. For
example, there may be cases where methane and ethane could be the species of
interest. The
disclosed system may use a combination of analog signal processing and/or
digital signal
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processing to determine the species concentration of the two or more gas
species. The species
concentration may be determined via a signal measurement at the peak
wavelength, a look-up
table, and/or a non-linear regression and high-resolution transmission
molecular absorption
(HITRAN) database. In some embodiments, flare models may be used to determine
system
requirements for co-emitted species. These system requirements may include the
dynamic
range for the trace gases to be measured. Other modeling types are possible
and
contemplated.
100421 A laser and laser detector are described as being
representative, in some
embodiments, the laser may be a light source, such as a light-emitting diode
(LED). a
superluminescent diode (SLD), a lamp, and the like. In some embodiments, the
laser detector
may be a light detector, such as a photovoltaic detector.
100431 Methane and carbon dioxide are described as being
representative of a first
trace gas species and a second trace gas species. In some embodiments, any two
trace gases
or species may be used in the system and method disclosed herein. The system
and method
disclosed herein for the detection and subsequent quantification of more than
two species can
be extended in a manner similar to that used to extend the process from one to
two species.
100441 FIG. lA depicts a cross-sectional view of a system having
two cavities for
separate carbon dioxide and methane measurements on a same conveyance
platform,
according to one embodiment. The system 100 includes two cavities 102, 104 for
separate
carbon dioxide and methane measurements on a same conveyance platform.
100451 The first cavity 102 includes a first tuned laser source
for methane (CH4) 106.
The first cavity 102 includes two mirrors 108, 110 so that the light from the
first tuned laser
106 can travel a path length 112 having multiple reflections across the two
mirrors 108, 110
in the open first cavity 102. The laser path length 112 terminates at a first
laser detector 114
configured to detect a concentration of methane.
100461 The second cavity 104 includes a second tuned laser
source for carbon dioxide
(CO2) 116. The second cavity 104 includes two mirrors 118, 120 so that the
light from the
second tuned laser 116 can travel a path length 122 having multiple
reflections across the two
mirrors 118, 120 in the open second cavity 104. The laser path length 122
terminates at a
second laser detector 124 configured to detect a concentration of carbon
dioxide.
100471 FIG. 1B depicts a perspective view of the system 100 of
FIG. 1A, according to
one embodiment. Each cavity 102, 104 may have a protective cover 126, 128 so
as to protect
the optical cells from damage, dust, or the like. Each cavity 102, 104 may be
disposed
proximate to one another so that the measurements of carbon dioxide and
methane are co-
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located. In some embodiments, a connector 130 may connect the optical cells
102, 104
together in close proximity. In some embodiments, the connector 130 may
connect the
protective covers 126, 128 of each cavity 102, 104.
100481 FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of a system 200
having one laser 202 and
one detector 204 in one cavity 206 with the frequency of the laser 202 and
detector 2204
adjusted to the absorption frequencies of carbon dioxide and methane,
according to one
embodiment. The system includes a single laser source 202 with a continuous
wavelength
shifting between carbon dioxide and methane. The single laser source 202 may
be a dual
wavelength tuned laser source. The system 200 includes a single laser detector
204 that can
be used to detect both carbon dioxide and methane based on the continuous
wavelength of the
laser 202 shifting between carbon dioxide and methane. The laser 202 can
travel a path length
208 having multiple reflections across the two mirrors 210, 212 in the open
cavity 206. The
laser path length 208 terminates at the laser detector 204 configured to
detect a concentration
of carbon dioxide and methane.
100491 FIG. 3 depicts a cross-sectional view of a system 300
having one cavity 302
with two lasers 304, 306 and one detector 308, according to one embodiment. A
first laser
source 304 may be turned for methane. The first laser 304 can travel a first
path length 310
having multiple reflections across the two mirrors 312, 314 in the open cavity
302. The first
path length 310 terminates at the laser detector 308 configured to detect a
concentration of
carbon dioxide and methane. A second laser source 306 may be tuned for carbon
dioxide.
The second laser 306 can travel a second path length 316 having multiple
reflections across
the two mirrors 312, 314 in the open cavity 302. The second path length 316
terminates at the
laser detector 308 configured to detect a concentration of carbon dioxide and
methane. The
single laser detector 308 may detect both methane and carbon dioxide.
100501 FIG. 4 depicts a cross-sectional view of a system 400
having one cavity 402
with two lasers 404, 406 and two detectors 408, 410, where the detectors 4108,
410 are on a
same side of the cavity 402, according to one embodiment. A first laser source
404 may be
turned for methane. The first laser 404 can travel a first path length 412
having multiple
reflections across the two mirrors 414, 416 in the open cavity 402. A second
laser source 406
may be tuned for carbon dioxide. The second laser 406 can travel a second path
length 418
having multiple reflections across the two mirrors 414, 416 in the open cavity
402. Both the
first laser source 404 and the second laser source 406 may be disposed on a
same first side
420 of the cavity 402. A first laser detector 408 may be used to receive the
laser light from
the first laser and detect a methane concentration. A second laser detector
410 may be used to
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receive the laser light from the second laser and detect a carbon dioxide
concentration. The
first laser detector 408 and the second laser detector 410 may be located on a
same second
side 422 of the cavity 402. The first side 420 of the cavity 402 may be
opposite the second
side 422 of the cavity 402.
100511
FIG. 5 depicts a cross-sectional view of a system 500 having one cavity
502
with two lasers 504, 506 and two detectors 508, 510, where the detectors 508,
510 are on
opposite sides 512, 514 of the cavity 502, according to one embodiment. A
first laser source
504 may be turned for methane and may be disposed on a first side 512 of the
cavity. A
second laser source 506 may be tuned for carbon dioxide and may be disposed on
a second
side 514 of the cavity 502. The first side 512 of the cavity 502 may be
opposite the second
side 514 of the cavity 502. A first laser detector 510 may be used to receive
the laser light
from the first laser 504 and detect a methane concentration. The first laser
detector 510 may
be located on the second side 514 of the cavity 502 proximate the second laser
source 506. A
second laser detector 508 may be used to receive the laser light from the
second laser 506 and
detect a carbon dioxide concentration. The second laser detector 508 may be
located on the
first side 512 of the cavity 502 proximate the first laser source 504. The
first laser 504 can
travel a first path length 516 having multiple reflections across the two
mirrors 518, 520 in
the open cavity 502. The second laser 506 can travel a second path length 522
having
multiple reflections across the two mirrors 518, 520 in the open cavity 502.
100521
FIG. 6 depicts a cross-sectional view of a system 600 having one cavity
602
with one laser 604 and two detectors 606, 608 with one detector 606 of the two
detectors 606,
608 located behind a semi-transparent facet 610, according to one embodiment.
For some
embodiments, the semi-transparent facet 610 may be a semi-transparent area, a
portion of the
mirror 614 that allows some light to pass through, an opening in the mirror
614, or the like. A
tunable laser source 604 may be located on a first side 616 of the cavity 602.
A first laser
detector 606 may be located on a second side 618 of the cavity 602. The first
side 616 of the
cavity 602 may be opposite the second side 618 of the cavity 602. The first
laser detector 608
may be configured to detect methane. A second laser detector 606 may be
located on the
second side 618 of the cavity proximate the first laser detector 608. The
second laser detector
606 may be located behind a semi-transparent facet 614 in a mirror 614 of two
or more
mirrors 612, 614 of the cavity 602. The semi-transparent facet 614 may reduce
reflectivity
from the remainder of the cavity 602, determined as a function of the laser
604 power and
detector 606, 608 responsivity.
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100531 In this system 600, one of the laser detectors 606 may be
located behind a
semi-transparent facet 610. A shorter pathlength may be utilized for the
higher absorbing
species, and the longer pathlength may be utilized for the lower absorbing
species. This
system 600 enables sufficient sensitivity for both species using only one
laser source 604.
100541 With reference to FIGS. 1A-6, light sources may be
discrete with
discrete/independent entrance to the respective optical cells. Respective
light sources may be
discrete with optical or fiber coupling and a single entrance to the
respective optical cells.
There may be N number of laser sources, where N is a number equal to or
greater than one.
The wavelength of light sources may be determined by desired absorption
characteristics of
the gas species of interest. A light source may be coherent, e.g., lasers that
are Fabry¨Perot
(FP), IC distributed feedback laser (DFB), or quantum cascade lasers (QCL).
Another light
source may be incoherent, e.g., light-emitting diodes (LEDs), superluminescent
diodes
(SLDs), or lamps. Optical cavities may be an open cavity, an open path, or a
closed cavity. In
an open cavity, a light source, detector, and optics are in the same assembly
with the beam
path open to the ambient air. In an open path, a light source is dislocated
from the detector.
Some embodiments may use pitch and catch (no reflections), retroreflectors, or
multi-pass. In
a closed cavity, a light source, detector, and optics are in the same assembly
with the beam
path closed to the ambient air. The sample to be tested for the presence of
one or more trace
gases may be drawn in by a pump, fan, or other methods that convey gas samples
into the
chamber. In some embodiments, a lightweight and low power system may include
one laser,
one detector, and the wavelength shifting may be handled by software. This
version will be
the lightest and lowest power version. In some embodiments, a dual cavity
system may be the
easiest to build, but have a higher weight and increased power requirements as
compared to
the other embodiments disclosed herein.
100551 FIG. 7 depicts a system 700 for detecting two or more
species of trace gases
710 using a quantification flight path, according to one embodiment. The trace
gas sensor
may be attached to an aerial vehicle 702, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle
(UAV), and
flown in a raster pattern 704 downwind 706 of one or more gas sources 708 or
potential gas
sources. The trace gas sensor may detect a concentration of two or more
species of trace
gases 710 over a measured distance of time. This measured gas concentration
712, when used
in conjunction with the wind speed and wind variance, may be used to determine
the source
708 of the trace gases 710. FIG. 7 depicts a downwind raster mass-balance
quantification
approach. In some embodiments, the flight path 704 may form a closed surface
flux plane
714 about the trace gas source 708, such that the disclosed system and method
utilizes a
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closed surface quantification approach. The measured concentration 712 shows
the
concentration on the Y-axis and the distance or time on the X-axis for each
measured species
of gas from Species 1 to Species N.
100561 FIG. 8 depicts a system for detecting two or more species
of trace gases 802
using a deflection flight path 804, according to one embodiment. The trace gas
sensor may be
attached to an aerial vehicle 806, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV),
and flown in a
random or semi-random pattern downwind 808 of a gas source 810 or potential
gas source.
The trace gas sensor may detect a concentration of two or more species of
trace gases 802
over a measured distance of time. This measured gas concentration, when used
in conjunction
with the wind speed and wind variance 808, may be used to determine the source
810 of the
trace gases 802. In some embodiments, the flight path may be a quantification
flight path if
using an inverse gaussian method of quantification. The measured concentration
812 shows
the concentration on the Y-axis and the distance or time on the X-axis for
each measured
species of gas from Species 1 to Species N.
100571 FIGS. 9A-9D depict high-level flowcharts of method
embodiments 900, 901,
903, 905 for multi-species measurements for uncontrolled tracer gas
verification, according
to one embodiment.
100581 In FIG. 9A, the method 900 may include gathering N
species concentrations
simultaneously downwind of the emissions source using an absorption
spectrometer, such as
a TDLAS sensor(s) (step 902). The number of species N may be equal to or
greater than one.
In one embodiment, N species may be two species of trace gases such as carbon
dioxide and
methane. The method 900 may then include using from 1 to N-1 species that are
co-emitted
from the emission source as an uncontrolled tracer gas to determine the extent
of the source
plume downwind and/or cross-validate the concentration species measurements
(step 904).
This step 904 can happen manually with a human-in-the-loop or autonomously by
an
unmanned vehicle through dynamic re-tasking. This step 904 may include using
the
measurements of the concentration distribution of one of the species as a
proxy for the
distribution of the other species. The method 900 may then include using the
cross-validated
concentration measurements to attribute emissions to source equipment, given
apriori
knowledge of the system inspected (e.g. emitting species) (step 906).
Optionally, the method
900 may include using N species concentrations, positional data (x,y,z), and a
wind vector to
quantify the volumetric flux or use N species concentrations, temperature,
pressure,
positional data (x,y,z), and wind vector to quantify the mass flux (step 908).
Optionally, for
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method 900, the uncontrolled tracer gas may be carbon dioxide, nitrogen
oxides, sulfur
oxides, or water vapor, and the gas of interest may be methane (step 910).
100591
In FIG. 9B, the method 901 may include gathering N species concentrations
simultaneously downwind of the emissions source using an absorption
spectrometer (step
902). The method 901 may then include using from 1 to N-1 species as an
uncontrolled tracer
gas to determine the extents of the source plume downwind and/or cross-
validate the
concentration species measurements (step 904). The method 901 may then include
using the
cross-validated concentration measurements to attribute emissions to source
equipment (step
906). Optionally, the method 901 may include using N species concentrations,
positional data
(x,y,z), and wind vector to quantify the volumetric flux or use N species
concentrations,
temperature, pressure, positional data (x,y,z), and wind vector to quantify
the mass flux (step
908). Optionally, for the method 901, the N species concentrations may be
utilized to
determine the destruction efficiency of combustion sources (e.g., gas
turbines, flares,
combustors) (step 912). The destruction efficiency may be calculated for an
item such as a
flare, gas turbine, or the like, based on the assumed efficiency of the engine
of fuel use. By
measuring CO2 and CH4, the disclosed method can actually measure the
destruction
efficiency rather than use an assumed calculation, and thus make a more
informed decision
about equipment performance.
100601
In FIG. 9C, the method 903 may include gathering N species concentrations
simultaneously downwind of the emissions source using an absorption
spectrometer (step
902). The method 903 may then include using from 1 to N-1 species as an
uncontrolled tracer
gas to determine the extents of the source plume downwind and/or cross-
validate the
concentration species measurements (step 904). The method 903 may then include
using the
cross-validated concentration measurements to attribute emissions to source
equipment (step
906). Optionally, the method 903 may include using N species concentrations,
positional data
(x,y,z), and wind vector to quantify the volumetric flux or use N species
concentrations,
temperature, pressure, positional data (x,y,z), and wind vector to quantify
the mass flux (step
908). Optionally, for the method 903, the N species concentrations may be
utilized to
determine the efficiency and/or efficacy of the methanisation process in
biogas production
(step 914). Biogas facilities may perform upgrading of biogas to supply
quality natural gas
that can be put directly into a pipeline. In a manner akin to that for looking
at destruction
efficiency of flares, the disclosed method can also ascertain from the
multiple species how
efficiently this is upgrading is performed. Additionally, the disclosed method
can also look at
the methane production of any processed digestate that has been through the
biogas
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production/methanogenesis process, and if there is still methane indicated
from the sensor
survey/measurement then the disclosed method can highlight the inefficiencies
in the process.
[0061] In FIG. 9D, the method 905 may include gathering N
species concentrations
simultaneously downwind of the emissions source using an absorption
spectrometer (step
902). The method 905 may then include using from 1 to N-1 species as an
uncontrolled tracer
gas to determine the extents of the source plume downwind and/or cross-
validate the
concentration species measurements (step 904). The method 905 may then include
using the
cross-validated concentration measurements to attribute emissions to source
equipment (step
906). Optionally, the method 905 may include using N species concentrations,
positional data
(x,y,z), and wind vector to quantify the volumetric flux or use N species
concentrations,
temperature, pressure, positional data (x,y,z), and wind vector to quantify
the mass flux (step
908). Optionally, for the method 905, the N species concentrations may be
utilized to
determine the efficiency and/or efficacy of the gas upgrade process in biogas
production (step
916). This has significant monetary implications for biogas production
operators and is useful
information for improving the biodigestion operation. As discussed above,
biogas production
involves organic waste being processed (typically with an anaerobic digestor.
By surveying
the processed solids and liquids, which may be held in open ponds, the
disclosed method may
see that there is still methane being emitted, even though the bulk of the
biogas has been
harvested off. This inefficiency of having 'left over' methane has a cost
implication to the
biogas producer as the biogas producer may be claiming carbon credits for the
produced
biogas. These carbon credits can be worth up to 10x the value of the actual
gas.
[0062] FIGS. 10A-10D depict functional block diagrams of systems
1000, 1001,
1003, 1005 that determine a concentration of two or more species of gas,
according to several
embodiments. An output from a signal waveform generator 1002 and an output
from a
modulation waveform generator 1004 may be summed 1005 and input to a laser
driver 1006.
An output from the laser driver 1006 and a thermoelectric cooler (TEC) driver
1008 may be
received by a laser diode 1010. The laser diode may output a light source 1011
having a
desired wavelength. A photodiode 1012 may receive the output light source 1011
to
determine a presence of one or more trace gas concentrations passing through
the output light
source.
100631 In FIG. 10A, the system 1000 includes an output from the
photodiode 1012
undergoes analog signal processing 1014. The analog signal processor 1014 also
receives the
output from the modulation waveform generator 1004. The output of the analog
signal
processing is processed by a central processing unit (CPU) 1016 or other
processor and the
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species concentration 1018 is determined. By using analog signal processing
1014, the
conversion to digital by the CPU 1016 may be delayed and less processing power
may be
required. The system 1000 in FIG. 10A may be the preferred embodiment as
compared to the
systems in FIGS. 10B-10D as this system 1000 may process data faster and draw
less power
as compared to the systems in FIGS. 10B-10D.
100641 In FIG. 10B, the system 1001 includes the output from the
photodiode 1012
undergoes digital signal processing 1020. The digital signal processor 1020
also receives the
output from the modulation waveform generator 1004. The output of the digital
signal
processing 1020 is processed by a central processing unit (CPU) 1016 or other
processor, and
the species concentration 1018 is determined
100651 In FIG. 10C, the system 1003 includes the output from the
photodiode 1012
undergoes analog signal processing 1022. The analog signal processor 1022 also
receives the
output from the modulation waveform generator 1004. The output of the analog
signal
processing 1022 is processed by digital signal processing 1024 and then
processed by a
central processing unit (CPU) 1016 or other processor, and the species
concentration 1018 is
determined.
100661 In FIG. 10D, the system 1005 includes the output from the
photodiode 1012
undergoes analog signal processing 1026. The output of the analog signal
processing 1026 is
processed by digital signal processing 1028. The digital signal processor 1028
also receives
the output from the modulation waveform generator 1004. The output from the
digital signal
processor 1028 is then processed by a central processing unit (CPU) 1016 or
other processor
and the species concentration 1018 is determined.
100671 FIG. 11 depicts a detector signal, if signal, 2f signal,
and 2f/lf signal 1100,
according to one embodiment. These signals 1100 may be used to determine a
concentration
of two or more trace gases.
100681 FIG. 12 depicts species concentration 1200 for two
samples based on a peak
wavelength, according to one embodiment. The species concentration 1200 may be
determined using the formula x=y*a-Fb. Where x is species concentration, y is
the signal
measurement at the peak wavelength (in this case, a function of time due to
scanning of laser
current), and a and b are scalars determined through a calibration process.
100691 FIG. 13 depicts species concentration 1300 for two
samples based on a look-
up table, according to one embodiment. One or more of the measurements
(a,b,c,d,e) may be
used to determine species concentration using a look-up table.
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100701 FIG. 14 depicts species concentration for two samples
based on a non-linear
regression and high-resolution transmission molecular absorption (HITRAN)
database,
according to one embodiment. A non-linear regression and HITRAN database may
be used
on each sample to determine a species concentration given temperature and
pressure. In other
embodiments, the system may assume a fixed temperature and pressure (e.g.,
standard
temperature and pressure).
[0071] FIG. 15 depicts a carbon dioxide simulation near 2 [tm
1500, according to one
embodiment. A high-sensitivity CO2 sensor 1502 may be able to detect carbon
dioxide at 1-2
ppm/s. In one embodiment, the CO? sensor 1502 may be a 1-inch cavity, such as
Short
Wavelength Infrared (SWIR) and/or midwave infrared (MWIR). The sensor 1502 may
be
optically simple, have a low interference, and may be highly sensitive. P may
be 1 bar; L may
be 1 cm; and XCO2 may be 1. There may be insignificant H20 absorption in this
range.
[0072] In one embodiment, the laser may be a Fabry¨Perot
interferometer (FPI)
having an output wavelength of 2000 nm, an output power of 15 mW, an operating
voltage of
2 V, an operating temperature of 25 C, and an operating current of 400 mA. In
another
embodiment, the laser may be a distributed feedback laser (DFB) having an
output
wavelength of 1900 ¨ 2200 nm, an output power of 3 mW, an operating voltage of
2 V, an
operating temperature of 25 C, and an operating current of 100 mA. Other
laser types and
specifications are possible and contemplated.
[0073] FIG. 16 depicts a graph 1600 showing wavelength-
modulation spectroscopy
(WMS), according to one embodiment. A Sixth Order Butterworth filter may have
an fs of
800 Hz and an fm of 100 kHz.
[0074] FIG. 17 depicts a downstream flare model 1700, according
to one
embodiment. Inputs for flare calculations may include stoichiometric air and
CH4 at 20 C
and 1 atm. Constant temperature and enthalpy equilibration. Output Flare
Conditions may
include: T = 2152 K; YN2 = 0.72, XN2 = 0.70; Y-1420 = 0.12, X1420 = 0.18; Yco2
= 0.13, Xco2 =
0.08; Yol = 0.01, Xo2 = 0.01; Yco = 0.01, Xco = 0.01. The ambient air mass
flow may be 10x
the flare mass flow. Equilibrium Mass Fractions (Standard Air + N2: 0.72 +
0.7628/10; 02:
0.01 + 0.2047/10; H2O: 0.12 + 0.0195/10; CO2: 0.13 + 0.0039/10; Ar:
0.0091/10). Flare
Conditions (mole fractions) T = 100 C; XN2 = 0.74; XH2o = 0.11; Xco2 = 0.12;
X02 = 0.03.
100751 FIG. 18 depicts a data based flare model 1800, according
to one embodiment.
Flare Conditions (mole fractions) T = 100 C; XN2 = 0.756000; Xo? = 0.200962;
XH2o =
0.035; Xco2 = 0.008; XcH4 = 0.000028; Xco = 0.000010. Modeling (mole
fractions) T = 27
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a C; XN2 = 0.756; X02 = 0.201; XH20 = 0.035; XCO2 = 0.008. Peak H20 absorbance
= 2.5 x
10-a.
100761 FIG. 19 depicts flares in a field test 1900, according to
one embodiment.
Flares are shown in the flux plane, showing elevated trace gas concentrations.
The flares may
have some uncombusted material (CH4) as well as production of CO2 and some
other species.
These additional gases may include SON, NON, CO, and the like. By measuring
the
concentration of CO2 and methane in the surface surrounding the flares, the
disclosed system
and method can use the mathematical relationship to translate that into the
volume and hence
amount of actual emissions from the source that has been completely
surrounded.
100771 FIG. 20 depicts wellpad measurements of carbon dioxide
and methane 2000,
according to one embodiment. Tanks, flares, and separators are shown in the
elevated trace
gas concentrations of methane and carbon dioxide.
100781 FIG. 21 illustrates an example of a top-level functional
block diagram of a
computing device embodiment 1600. The example operating environment is shown
as a
computing device 1620 comprising a processor 1624, such as a central
processing unit
(CPU), addressable memory 1627, an external device interface 1626, e.g., an
optional
universal serial bus port and related processing, and/or an Ethernet port and
related
processing, and an optional user interface 1629, e.g., an array of status
lights and one or more
toggle switches, and/or a display, and/or a keyboard and/or a pointer-mouse
system and/or a
touch screen. Optionally, the addressable memory may, for example, be: flash
memory,
eprom, and/or a disk drive or other hard drive. These elements may be in
communication
with one another via a data bus 1628. In some embodiments, via an operating
system 1625
such as one supporting a web browser 1623 and applications 1622, the processor
1624 may
be configured to execute steps of a process establishing a communication
channel and
processing according to the embodiments described above.
100791 System embodiments include computing devices such as a
server computing
device, a buyer computing device, and a seller computing device, each
comprising a
processor and addressable memory and in electronic communication with each
other. The
embodiments provide a server computing device that may be configured to:
register one or
more buyer computing devices and associate each buyer computing device with a
buyer
profile; register one or more seller computing devices and associate each
seller computing
device with a seller profile; determine search results of one or more
registered buyer
computing devices matching one or more buyer criteria via a seller search
component. The
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service computing device may then transmit a message from the registered
seller computing
device to a registered buyer computing device from the determined search
results and provide
access to the registered buyer computing device of a property from the one or
more properties
of the registered seller via a remote access component based on the
transmitted message and
the associated buyer computing device; and track movement of the registered
buyer
computing device in the accessed property via a viewer tracking component.
Accordingly, the
system may facilitate the tracking of buyers by the system and sellers once
they are on the
property and aid in the seller's search for finding buyers for their property.
The figures
described below provide more details about the implementation of the devices
and how they
may interact with each other using the disclosed technology.
100801 FIG. 22 is a high-level block diagram 1700 showing a
computing system
comprising a computer system useful for implementing an embodiment of the
system and
process, disclosed herein. Embodiments of the system may be implemented in
different
computing environments. The computer system includes one or more processors
1702, and
can further include an electronic display device 1704 (e.g., for displaying
graphics, text, and
other data), a main memory 1706 (e.g., random access memory (RAM)), storage
device 1708,
a removable storage device 1710 (e.g., removable storage drive, a removable
memory
module, a magnetic tape drive, an optical disk drive, a computer readable
medium having
stored therein computer software and/or data), user interface device 1711
(e.g., keyboard,
touch screen, keypad, pointing device), and a communication interface 1712
(e.g., modem, a
network interface (such as an Ethernet card), a communications port, or a
PCMCIA slot and
card). The communication interface 1712 allows software and data to be
transferred between
the computer system and external devices. The system further includes a
communications
infrastructure 1714 (e.g., a communications bus, cross-over bar, or network)
to which the
aforementioned devices/modules are connected as shown.
100811 Information transferred via communications interface 1714
may be in the form
of signals such as electronic, electromagnetic, optical, or other signals
capable of being
received by communications interface 1714, via a communication link 1716 that
carries
signals and may be implemented using wire or cable, fiber optics, a phone
line, a
cellular/mobile phone link, an radio frequency (RF) link, and/or other
communication
channels. Computer program instructions representing the block diagram and/or
flowcharts
herein may be loaded onto a computer, programmable data processing apparatus,
or
processing devices to cause a series of operations performed thereon to
produce a computer
implemented process.
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100821 Embodiments have been described with reference to
flowchart illustrations
and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program
products
according to embodiments. Each block of such illustrations/diagrams, or
combinations
thereof, can be implemented by computer program instructions. The computer
program
instructions when provided to a processor produce a machine, such that the
instructions,
which execute via the processor, create means for implementing the
functions/operations
specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram. Each block in the
flowchart/block diagrams
may represent a hardware and/or software module or logic, implementing
embodiments. In
alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out
of the order
noted in the figures, concurrently, etc.
100831 Computer programs (i.e., computer control logic) are
stored in main memory
and/or secondary memory. Computer programs may also be received via a
communications
interface 1712. Such computer programs, when executed, enable the computer
system to
perform the features of the embodiments as discussed herein. In particular,
the computer
programs, when executed, enable the processor and/or multi-core processor to
perform the
features of the computer system. Such computer programs represent controllers
of the
computer system.
100841 FIG. 23 shows a block diagram of an example system 1800
in which an
embodiment may be implemented. The system 1800 includes one or more client
devices
1801 such as consumer electronics devices, connected to one or more server
computing
systems 1830. A server 1830 includes a bus 1802 or other communication
mechanism for
communicating information, and a processor (CPU) 1804 coupled with the bus
1802 for
processing information. The server 1830 also includes a main memory 1806, such
as a
random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device, coupled to the bus
1802 for
storing information and instructions to be executed by the processor 1804. The
main memory
1806 also may be used for storing temporary variables or other intermediate
information
during execution or instructions to be executed by the processor 1804. The
server computer
system 1830 further includes a read only memory (ROM) 1808 or other static
storage device
coupled to the bus 1802 for storing static information and instructions for
the processor 1804.
A storage device 1810, such as a magnetic disk or optical disk, is provided
and coupled to the
bus 1802 for storing information and instructions. The bus 1802 may contain,
for example,
thirty-two address lines for addressing video memory or main memory 1806. The
bus 1802
can also include, for example, a 32-bit data bus for transferring data between
and among the
components, such as the CPU 1804, the main memory 1806, video memory and the
storage
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1810. Alternatively, multiplex data/address lines may be used instead of
separate data and
address lines.
100851 The server 1830 may be coupled via the bus 1802 to a
display 1812 for
displaying information to a computer user. An input device 1814, including
alphanumeric
and other keys, is coupled to the bus 1802 for communicating information and
command
selections to the processor 1804. Another type or user input device comprises
cursor control
1816, such as a mouse, a trackball, or cursor direction keys for communicating
direction
information and command selections to the processor 1804 and for controlling
cursor
movement on the display 1812.
100861 According to one embodiment, the functions are performed
by the processor
1804 executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions contained in
the main
memory 1806. Such instructions may be read into the main memory 1806 from
another
computer-readable medium, such as the storage device 1810. Execution of the
sequences of
instructions contained in the main memory 1806 causes the processor 1804 to
perform the
process steps described herein. One or more processors in a multi-processing
arrangement
may also be employed to execute the sequences of instructions contained in the
main memory
1806. In alternative embodiments, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of
or in
combination with software instructions to implement the embodiments. Thus,
embodiments
are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and
software.
100871 The terms "computer program medium," "computer usable
medium,"
"computer readable medium", and "computer program product," are used to
generally refer to
media such as main memory, secondary memory, removable storage drive, a hard
disk
installed in hard disk drive, and signals. These computer program products are
means for
providing software to the computer system. The computer readable medium allows
the
computer system to read data, instructions, messages or message packets, and
other computer
readable information from the computer readable medium. The computer readable
medium,
for example, may include non-volatile memory, such as a floppy disk, ROM,
flash memory,
disk drive memory, a CD-ROM, and other permanent storage. It is useful, for
example, for
transporting information, such as data and computer instructions, between
computer systems.
Furthermore, the computer readable medium may comprise computer readable
information in
a transitory state medium such as a network link and/or a network interface,
including a wired
network or a wireless network that allow a computer to read such computer
readable
information. Computer programs (also called computer control logic) are stored
in main
memory and/or secondary memory. Computer programs may also be received via a
18
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communications interface. Such computer programs, when executed, enable the
computer
system to perform the features of the embodiments as discussed herein. In
particular, the
computer programs, when executed, enable the processor multi-core processor to
perform the
features of the computer system. Accordingly, such computer programs represent
controllers
of the computer system.
100881 Generally, the term "computer-readable medium" as used
herein refers to any
medium that participated in providing instructions to the processor 1804 for
execution. Such
a medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile
media, volatile
media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media includes, for example,
optical or
magnetic disks, such as the storage device 1810. Volatile media includes
dynamic memory,
such as the main memory 1806. Transmission media includes coaxial cables,
copper wire
and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise the bus 1802. Transmission
media can
also take the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated during
radio wave and
infrared data communications.
100891 Common forms of computer-readable media include, for
example, a floppy
disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, or any other magnetic medium,
a CD-ROM,
any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium
with patterns
of holes, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or
cartridge, a carrier wave as described hereinafter, or any other medium from
which a
computer can read.
100901 Various forms of computer readable media may be involved
in carrying one or
more sequences of one or more instructions to the processor 1804 for
execution. For
example, the instructions may initially be carried on a magnetic disk of a
remote computer.
The remote computer can load the instructions into its dynamic memory and send
the
instructions over a telephone line using a modem. A modem local to the server
1830 can
receive the data on the telephone line and use an infrared transmitter to
convert the data to an
infrared signal. An infrared detector coupled to the bus 1802 can receive the
data carried in
the infrared signal and place the data on the bus 1802. The bus 1802 carries
the data to the
main memory 1806, from which the processor 1804 retrieves and executes the
instructions.
The instructions received from the main memory 1806 may optionally be stored
on the
storage device 1810 either before or after execution by the processor 1804.
100911 The server 1830 also includes a communication interface
1818 coupled to the
bus 1802. The communication interface 1818 provides a two-way data
communication
coupling to a network link 1820 that is connected to the world wide packet
data
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communication network now commonly referred to as the Internet 1828. The
Internet 1828
uses electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data
streams. The signals
through the various networks and the signals on the network link 1820 and
through the
communication interface 1818, which carry the digital data to and from the
server 1830, are
exemplary forms or carrier waves transporting the information.
100921 In another embodiment of the server 1830, interface 1818
is connected to a
network 1822 via a communication link 1820. For example, the communication
interface
1818 may be an integrated services digital network (ISDN) card or a modem to
provide a data
communication connection to a corresponding type of telephone line, which can
comprise
part of the network link 1820. As another example, the communication interface
1818 may
be a local area network (LAN) card to provide a data communication connection
to a
compatible LAN. Wireless links may also be implemented. In any such
implementation, the
communication interface 1818 sends and receives electrical electromagnetic or
optical signals
that carry digital data streams representing various types of information.
100931 The network link 1820 typically provides data
communication through one or
more networks to other data devices. For example, the network link 1820 may
provide a
connection through the local network 1822 to a host computer 1824 or to data
equipment
operated by an Internet Service Provider (ISP). The ISP in turn provides data
communication
services through the Internet 1828. The local network 1822 and the Internet
1828 both use
electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data
streams. The signals
through the various networks and the signals on the network link 1820 and
through the
communication interface 1818, which carry the digital data to and from the
server 1830, are
exemplary forms or carrier waves transporting the information.
100941 The server 1830 can send/receive messages and data,
including e-mail,
program code, through the network, the network link 1820 and the communication
interface
1818. Further, the communication interface 1818 can comprise a USB/Tuner and
the
network link 1820 may be an antenna or cable for connecting the server 1830 to
a cable
provider, satellite provider or other terrestrial transmission system for
receiving messages,
data and program code from another source.
[0095] The example versions of the embodiments described herein
may be
implemented as logical operations in a distributed processing system such as
the system 1800
including the servers 1830. The logical operations of the embodiments may be
implemented
as a sequence of steps executing in the server 1830, and as interconnected
machine modules
within the system 1800. The implementation is a matter of choice and can
depend on
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performance of the system 1800 implementing the embodiments. As such, the
logical
operations constituting said example versions of the embodiments are referred
to for e.g., as
operations, steps or modules.
100961 Similar to a server 1830 described above, a client
device 1801 can include a
processor, memory, storage device, display, input device and communication
interface (e.g.,
e-mail interface) for connecting the client device to the Internet 1828, the
ISP, or LAN 1822,
for communication with the servers 1830.
100971 The system 1800 can further include computers (e.g.,
personal computers,
computing nodes) 1805 operating in the same manner as client devices 1801,
where a user
can utilize one or more computers 1805 to manage data in the server 1830.
100981 Referring now to FIG. 24, illustrative cloud computing
environment 50 is
depicted. As shown, cloud computing environment 50 comprises one or more cloud
computing nodes 10 with which local computing devices used by cloud consumers,
such as,
for example, personal digital assistant (PDA), smartphone, smart watch, set-
top box, video
game system, tablet, mobile computing device, or cellular telephone 54A,
desktop computer
54B, laptop computer 54C, and/or unmanned aerial system (UAS) 54N may
communicate.
Nodes 10 may communicate with one another. They may be grouped (not shown)
physically
or virtually, in one or more networks, such as Private, Community, Public, or
Hybrid clouds
as described hereinabove, or a combination thereof This allows cloud computing
environment 50 to offer infrastructure, platforms and/or software as services
for which a
cloud consumer does not need to maintain resources on a local computing
device. It is
understood that the types of computing devices 54A-N shown in FIG. 24 are
intended to be
illustrative only and that computing nodes 10 and cloud computing environment
50 can
communicate with any type of computerized device over any type of network
and/or network
addressable connection (e.g., using a web browser).
100991 FIG. 25 depicts a system 2000 for detecting trace gases,
according to one
embodiment. The system may include one or more trace gas sensors located in
one or more
vehicles 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010. The one or more trace gas sensors may detect
elevated trace
gas concentrations from one or more potential gas sources 2020, 2022, such as
a holding
tank, pipeline, or the like. The potential gas sources 2020, 2022 may be part
of a large
facility, a small facility, or any location. The potential gas sources 2020,
2022 may be
clustered and/or disposed distal from one another. The one or more trace gas
sensors may be
used to detect and quantify leaks of toxic gases, e.g., hydrogen disulfide, or
environmentally
damaging gases, e.g., methane, sulfur dioxide) in a variety of industrial and
environmental
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contexts. Detection and quantification of these leaks are of interest to a
variety of industrial
operations, such as oil and gas, chemical production, and painting. Detection
and
quantification of leaks is also of value to environmental regulators for
assessing compliance
and for mitigating environmental and safety risks. In some embodiments, the at
least one
trace gas sensor may be configured to detect methane. In other embodiments,
the at least one
trace gas sensor may be configured to detect sulfur oxide, such as SO, S02,
S03, S702,
S602, S202, and the like. A trace gas leak 2024 may be present in a potential
gas source
2020. The one or more trace gas sensors may be used to identify the trace gas
leak 2024
and/or the source 2020 of the trace gas leak 2024 so that corrective action
may be taken.
1001001 The one or more vehicles 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010 may include an
unmanned
aerial vehicle (UAV) 2002, an aerial vehicle 2004, a handheld device 2006, and
a ground
vehicle 2010. In some embodiments, the UAV 2002 may be a quadcopter or other
device
capable of hovering, making sharp turns, and the like. In other embodiments,
the UAV 2002
may be a winged aerial vehicle capable of extended flight time between
missions. The UAV
2002 may be autonomous or semi-autonomous in some embodiments. In other
embodiments,
the UAV 2002 may be manually controlled by a user. The aerial vehicle 2004 may
be a
manned vehicle in some embodiments. The handheld device 2006 may be any device
having
one or more trace gas sensors operated by a user 2008. In one embodiment, the
handheld
device 2006 may have an extension for keeping the one or more trace gas
sensors at a
distance from the user 2008. The ground vehicle 2010 may have wheels, tracks,
and/or treads
in one embodiment. In other embodiments, the ground vehicle 2010 may be a
legged robot.
In some embodiments, the ground vehicle 2010 may be used as a base station for
one or more
UAVs 2002. In some embodiments, one or more aerial devices, such as the UAV
2002, a
balloon, or the like, may be tethered to the ground vehicle 2010. In some
embodiments, one
or more trace gas sensors may be located in one or more stationary monitoring
devices 2026.
The one or more stationary monitoring devices may be located proximate one or
more
potential gas sources 2020, 2022. In some embodiments, the one or more
stationary
monitoring devices may be relocated.
1001011 The one or more vehicles 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010 and/or stationary
monitoring
devices 2026 may transmit data including trace gas data to a ground control
station (GCS)
2012. The GCS may include a display 2014 for displaying the trace gas
concentrations to a
GCS user 2016. The GCS user 2016 may be able to take corrective action if a
gas leak 2024
is detected, such as by ordering a repair of the source 2020 of the trace gas
leak. The GCS
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user 2016 may be able to control movement of the one or more vehicles 2002,
2004, 2006,
2010 in order to confirm a presence of a trace gas leak in some embodiments.
[00102] In some embodiments, the GCS 2012 may transmit data to a cloud server
2018. In some embodiments, the cloud server 2018 may perform additional
processing on the
data. In some embodiments, the cloud server 2018 may provide third party data
to the GCS
2012, such as wind speed, temperature, pressure, weather data, or the like.
[00103] It is contemplated that various combinations and/or sub-combinations
of the
specific features and aspects of the above embodiments may be made and still
fall within the
scope of the invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that various
features and
aspects of the disclosed embodiments may be combined with or substituted for
one another in
order to form varying modes of the disclosed invention. Further, it is
intended that the scope
of the present invention herein disclosed by way of examples should not be
limited by the
particular disclosed embodiments described above.
23
CA 03213035 2023- 9- 21
