Remote Detection and Quantification of Methane Emissions Based on Hyperspectral Data Analysis

Abstract

Measurement of methane emissions from leaks occurring on the territorially extensive network of transmission gas grid is a topical issue and highly desirable from the point of view of safety and reducing methane emissions into the atmosphere. Remote detection of methane is a problem whose technical solution is based on several types of optoelectronic devices, e.g. thermal imaging cameras with sets of optical filters, spectroradiometers, laser systems of the DIAL (DIfferential Absorption Lidar) type. On the other hand, the quantification of emission magnitudes is in most cases realized by spectoradiometric systems. This paper will present a method for analyzing hyperspectral data from an imaging Fourier infrared spectroradiometer. Measurements will be made on a purpose-built bench simulating methane emissions from a transmission network. Data obtained from ground level under different atmospheric conditions will be presented, together with the results of their analysis for different methane emissions.