Wildfire Plume Tracking and Dynamics Using UAS with In-Situ CO_2 Measurements

摘要

Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (SUAS) provide a cheap, effective platform to measure carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. This project focuses on the development of an inexpensive unmanned aircraft and sensor system to detect in-situ CO_2 levels in the atmosphere on a UAS. While originally for the purpose of quantifying emissions from underground carbon sequestration reservoirs, it can also be used to study CO_2 laden plumes in other phenomena, such as wildfires. This is the primary discussion presented herein. The sensor system is developed around a Senseair K-30 FR a lightweight, low cost CO_2 sensor package. This package is integrated with additional SUAS components and a variety of autopilots to provide the capability to create a 3D map of CO_2 levels. The system records CO_2 levels and their corresponding GPS coordinates, as well as tertiary sensor data including atmospheric data and vehicle state. The resulting data can then be analyzed to determine the areas of highest CO_2 concentration, such as above the buoyant plume of a large fire.