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Canada Using Laser Technology To Map Industrial Plant Gases
Alberta Research Council Inc. (ARC) scientists are seeking industry partners to test laser technology that measures emissions from flares, storage tanks, gas processing plants, feedlots and refineries. The technology, called Differential Absorption Lidar (DIAL), measure gases such as methane, sulphur dioxide, benzene and other volatile organic compounds remotely over distances up to 2 kilometres. "This technology is powerful in its ability to directly measure and quantify mass emissions of compounds from an entire facility versus a small area," says Allan Chambers, research scientist with ARC's Carbon and Energy Management business unit. "We can even create two- and three-dimensional maps of an emissions plume in the atmosphere. Companies using this technology can get a detailed measurement of emissions from their facilities, identify major sources of emissions and assign a dollar value to these emissions." The DIAL laser, owned and operated by Spectrasyne Ltd.,UK, is the only commercially-operated unit in the world. DIAL sends out two laser pulses: one that is strongly absorbed by the gas of interest and one that is weakly absorbed . "By measuring the relative intensity and timing of the returned signals, we can determine the concentration profile of the gas in question along the light path," says Chambers. When combined with wind speed measurements, we can calculate mass emission fluxes of the compound. The Spectrasyne DIAL laser operates from a self-contained mobile unit that can be set up quickly to provide mass emissions measurements on-site. In the first North American demonstration of the unit in May 2003, Chambers arranged to bring the technology to Alberta to measure emissions from flares and gas processing facilities. Chambers wants to continue to adapt and validate the technology's capability and accuracy for tracking plumes and quantifying fugitive emissions from industrial and agricultural facilities. Related Links Alberta Research Council SpaceDaily Search SpaceDaily Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express 
Wind Tunnel Tests Could Lead To Healthier Towns And Cities
Swindon - Dec 18, 2003It's hardly an appealing thought but the overpowering fragrance of mothballs in a large wind tunnel could provide the key to improving air quality in our towns and cities. The tests will improve our understanding of how pollution and heat behave at street level so that more effective ventilation methods can be developed.
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