Uncertainty estimate for open-path remote sensing of fugitive emissions

摘要

Open-path remote sensing techniques such as Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry offer a powerful approach for determining emission rates from line and area pollution sources. Typically, a photon beam downwind of the source intersects the pollutant plume, and a characteristic such as optical absorption is measured. The path-integrated concentration is calculated from this measurement. The emission rate can then be estimated using a tracer gas reference or by dispersion modeling.