Monitoring of methane emissions from industrial activities

Research Project, 2021 – 2022

Purpose and goal: The aim is to reduce global warming and enable Sweden to reach zero net emissions of greenhouse gases by 2045. The goal of the project is therefore to develop a drone-based measurement method for methane that can reliably and efficiently, in complement to other advanced ground-based technologies, be used to map and quantify emissions.
This method will be tested, together with complementary optical techniques, by stakeholders in 5 measurement campaigns on relevant industrial emission sources where there is currently a need to measure emissions.
Expected results and effects: Methane emissions generally occur from diffuse inaccessible sources which are difficult to measure and there is a lack of good measurement methods. Our solution provides an opportunity to map the industrial emissions and quantify how large they are. The development of the measurement method is part of the project result. The results provide an opportunity to implement measures to reduce methane emissions, e.g. in the form of improved sealings and handling or other measures. We will, for example, investigate emissions from various sludge layers at a water treatment plant.
Approach and implementation: In the initial phase, an adaptation of a laser-based ultra-sensitive methane instrument for installation and commissioning on a drone platform and radio communication will be carried out. The developed system will be tested in a measurement campaign at (1) 4 landfills (Högbytorp, Häradsudden, Hagby and Löt), (2) LNG loading and LNG vessel operation in the port of Gothenburg, (3) Gothenburg treatment plant and (4) Preem refinery. A general working method for leakage measurement will be developed, which includes how drone measurement can be used on its own or as a complement.