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Emission Measurements of Open Area Combustion Sources with an Unmanned Aerial System
Citation:
Gullett, B., J. Aurell, Bill Mitchell, AND V. Chirayath. Emission Measurements of Open Area Combustion Sources with an Unmanned Aerial System. 15th Products of Incomplete Combustion Congress, Seoul, SOUTH KOREA, June 27 - 30, 2017.
Impact/Purpose:
This abstract for a potential presentation will discuss emission sampling via a UAS to an international audience. This will update the audience on ORD's aerial sampling capability.
Description:
miniaturized sensor/sampler system (“Kolibri”) on a six-motor, unmanned aerial system (UAS) was used to quantify emissions from open burning of obsolete military propellants. The UAS afforded the ability to sample plume emissions at altitude and from a safe distance for the equipment and the operators. Emissions including carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), particulate matter (PM), polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated dioxins/furans (PCDD/PCDF), energetics, volatile organic carbons (VOCs) including carbonyls, metals, and chlorine species using electrochemical sensors, infrared sources, filters, and sorbent media were measuring during three campaigns. The hexacopter UAS was maneuvered into the plumes for flight times up to 15 min, depending on the payload weight. Real-time telemetry of CO2 concentrations, battery strength, global positioning, and video signal enabled the operator to optimize the UAS position within the plume and maximize the flight duration for the most effective sampling. The co-sampling of pollutants with carbon species on the Kolibri enabled calculation of emission factors. Results show good repeatability and agreement with literature values, demonstrating a significant advance in emission characterization capabilities for open area combustion sources.