1 research outputs found
Near-Field Characterization of Methane Emission Variability from a Compressor Station Using a Model Aircraft
A model aircraft
equipped with a custom laser-based, open-path
methane sensor was deployed around a natural gas compressor station
to quantify the methane leak rate and its variability at a compressor
station in the Barnett Shale. The open-path, laser-based sensor provides
fast (10 Hz) and precise (0.1 ppmv) measurements of methane in a compact
package while the remote control aircraft provides nimble and safe
operation around a local source. Emission rates were measured from
22 flights over a one-week period. Mean emission rates of 14 ±
8 g CH<sub>4</sub> s<sup>–1</sup> (7.4 ± 4.2 g CH<sub>4</sub> s<sup>–1</sup> median) from the station were observed
or approximately 0.02% of the station throughput. Significant variability
in emission rates (0.3–73 g CH<sub>4</sub> s<sup>–1</sup> range) was observed on time scales of hours to days, and plumes
showed high spatial variability in the horizontal and vertical dimensions.
Given the high spatiotemporal variability of emissions, individual
measurements taken over short durations and from ground-based platforms
should be used with caution when examining compressor station emissions.
More generally, our results demonstrate the unique advantages and
challenges of platforms like small unmanned aerial vehicles for quantifying
local emission sources to the atmosphere