Development of a UAV Based Framework for CH4 Monitoring in Sludge Treatment Centres
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Selection of the Case Study Area and WWTP Assets
2.2. Selection of UAV Platform and CH4 Sensor to Be Mounted Onboard
2.3. Data Collection
2.3.1. UAV Data Collection
2.3.2. Ancillary Data
2.4. Data Analysis
2.4.1. Characterization of Prevailing Winds
2.4.2. Influence of Emissions from Adjacent Sources
2.4.3. Identification of CH4 Sources
3. Results
3.1. UAV and Ancillary Data
3.2. Characterisation of Prevailing Winds
3.3. Influence of Emissions from Adjacent Sources
3.4. Identifying CH4 Sources
4. Discussion
5. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
Glossary
BQL | Below quantification level |
CAW | Carbon accounting workbook |
CCC | Committee on Climate Change |
CRDS | Cavity ring-down spectroscopy |
EF | Emission factor |
GHG | Greenhouse gas |
GPS | Global positioning system |
H | Height |
L | Length |
NDIR | Nondispersive infrared |
RTK | Real-time kinematic |
TDLAS | Tuneable diode laser absorption spectroscopy |
UAV | Unmanned aerial vehicle |
UNFCC | United Nations Framework Convention |
VTOL | Vertical take-off and landing |
W | Width |
WWT | Wastewater treatment |
WWTP | Wastewater treatment plant |
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Platform Specifications | |
---|---|
Maximum flight time | 55 min (no payload), 33 min (maximum payload) |
Transmission range | 15 km |
Transmission frequency | 2.4–5.8 GHz |
Maximum descend speed | 7 m s−1 |
Maximum speed | 23 m s−1 |
Wind resistance | 15 m s−1 |
Maximum payload capacity | 2.7 kg (mount up to 3 payloads) |
Operating temperature | −20 °C to 50 °C |
Volume | L 810 × W 670 × H 430 mm (unfolded, propellers excluded) |
Weight | Approximately 3.6 kg (without batteries) |
Sensor Specifications | |
Detection laser | Class IIIR |
Static detection limit | 5 ppm·m |
Sampling frequency | 500 kHz |
Response time | 0.025 s |
Measuring range | 0–50,000 ppm·m |
Maximum distance | 100 m |
Working temperature | −20–50 °C |
Operating humidity | <90% relative humidity |
Volume | L 155 × W 90 × H 100 mm |
Weight | 520 g |
Survey Description | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Asset | Date | N° Missions | Area (m2) | N° CH4 Points | Effective Surveying Time (h) | |
AD | 21 March 2022 | 6 | 22,500 | 3771 | 4.5 | |
18 May 2022 | 8 | 22,500 | 284 | 5.5 | ||
DST | 4 November 2022 | 1 | 1430 | 532 | 0.3 | |
CP | 18 March 2022 | 3 | 1560 | - | 0.5 | |
UAV ancillary data | ||||||
Asset | (m s−1) | (°) | (°C) | (%) | (hPa) | |
AD | 2.7 ± 0.1 | 151 ± 9 | 12.7 ± 0.7 | 59 ± 4 | 1025.8 ± 0.4 | |
4.7 ± 0.1 | 194 ± 5 | 18.0 ± 1.4 | 58 ± 3 | 1018.3 ± 1.2 | ||
DST | 4.9 | 302 | 12.3 | 72 | 1013.8 | |
CP | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
Metal oxide ground sensor data | ||||||
Asset | (m s−1) | (°) | (°C) | (%) | ||
AD | 1.00 ± 0.01 | 117 ± 21 | 12.6 ± 1.2 | 64 ± 2 | ||
0.88 ± 0.01 | 164 ± 36 | 22.5 ± 1.4 | 62 ± 4 | |||
DST | 0.130 ± 0.001 | 311 ± 15 | 11.8 ± 0.4 | 75 ± 1 | ||
CP | 2.01 ± 0.04 | 126 ± 21 | 15.9 ± 0.5 | 64 ± 2 |
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Abeywickrama, H.G.K.; Bajón-Fernández, Y.; Srinamasivayam, B.; Turner, D.; Rivas Casado, M. Development of a UAV Based Framework for CH4 Monitoring in Sludge Treatment Centres. Remote Sens. 2023, 15, 3704. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs15153704
Abeywickrama HGK, Bajón-Fernández Y, Srinamasivayam B, Turner D, Rivas Casado M. Development of a UAV Based Framework for CH4 Monitoring in Sludge Treatment Centres. Remote Sensing. 2023; 15(15):3704. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs15153704
Chicago/Turabian StyleAbeywickrama, Hiniduma Gamage Kavindi, Yadira Bajón-Fernández, Bharanitharan Srinamasivayam, Duncan Turner, and Mónica Rivas Casado. 2023. "Development of a UAV Based Framework for CH4 Monitoring in Sludge Treatment Centres" Remote Sensing 15, no. 15: 3704. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs15153704