Surface emission monitoring using unmanned aerial vehicles
AssigneeStearns, Conrad and Schmidt, Consulting Engineers, Inc.
InventorsMelissa RUSSO, Philip CARRILLO, Jeffrey LEADFORD
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for assessing surface methane concentrations through surface emissions monitoring utilizing unmanned aerial vehicles at municipal solid waste landfills. The method uses a combination of UAV-based and ground-based SEM techniques to measure methane concentrations at the surface of a landfill, to calculate zone-average methane concentrations on the surface and to identify methane leaks at landfill cover penetrations.
Claims15
A method for surface emissions monitoring at a municipal solid waste landfill using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the method comprising:
- configuring the UAV to fly at a predefined altitude above ground level (AGL) and along a flight path above a landfill surface;
- operating the UAV to carry a methane detection payload configured to measure path-integrated methane concentrations between the UAV and the landfill surface;
- recording timestamped data including UAV position, path-integrated methane concentration, and flight metadata;
- capturing images of the landfill surface using a camera mounted on the UAV;
- identifying locations exhibiting increased meter readings based on the measured methane concentrations;
- calculating a zone-average methane concentration for each zone of the landfill surface;
- initiating follow-up ground-based surface emissions monitoring (SEM) at one or more of the identified locations or zones;
- and
- generating a map of the landfill surface indicating locations of increased meter readings and corresponding methane concentrations.
A system for monitoring surface emissions at a municipal solid waste landfill, comprising:
- an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprising:
- a methane detection payload configured to measure path-integrated methane concentration between the UAV and the landfill surface;
- a positioning system configured to record timestamped GPS coordinates with an accuracy of ±2 meters;
- a data acquisition system configured to log methane concentrations and flight metadata;
- and
- a camera configured to capture georeferenced images during flight concurrently with methane concentration measurements;
- a ground station communicatively coupled to the UAV and configured to receive and display real-time or near real-time methane concentration and visual data;
- a controller configured to execute an automated flight plan comprising traverses perpendicular to an average wind direction, and to enable manual deviation from the flight plan;
- and
- a processor configured to:
- calculate zone-average methane concentrations from the logged data;
- identify locations exhibiting increased meter readings;
- and
- generate a map of the landfill surface indicating locations of increased meter readings and corresponding methane concentrations.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.