Remote Quantification of Smokestack Total Effluent Mass Flow Rates Using Imaging Fourier-Transform Spectroscopy

Author

Jacob L. Harley

Date of Award

3-11-2011

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Department of Engineering Physics

First Advisor

Kevin C. Gross, PhD.

Abstract

A Telops Hyper-Cam midwave infrared (1.5 − 5.5μm) imaging Fourier-transform spectrometer (IFTS) was used to estimate industrial smokestack total effluent mass flow rates by combining spectrally-determined species concentrations with flow rates estimated via analysis of sequential images in the raw interferogram cube. Strong emissions from H₂O, CO₂, CO, SO₂, and NO were observed in the spectrum. A previously established plume radiative transfer model was used to estimate gas concentrations, and a simple temporal cross-correlation analysis of sequential imagery enabled an estimation of the flow velocity. Final effluent mass flow rates for CO₂ and SO₂ of 13.5 ± 3.78 kg/s and 71.3 ± 19.3 g/s were in good agreement with in situ rates of 11.6 ± 0.07 kg/s and 67.8 ± 0.52 g/s. NO was estimated at 16.1 ± 4.19 g/s, which did not compare well to the total NO_x (NO + NO₂) reported value of 11.2 ± 0.16 g/s. Unmonitored H2O, HCl, and CO were also estimated at 7.76 ± 2.25 kg/s, 7.40 ± 2.00 g/s, and 15.0 ± 4.05 g/s respectively.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-GE-ENP-11-M01

DTIC Accession Number

ADA538198

Recommended Citation

Harley, Jacob L., "Remote Quantification of Smokestack Total Effluent Mass Flow Rates Using Imaging Fourier-Transform Spectroscopy" (2011). Theses and Dissertations. 1453.
https://scholar.afit.edu/etd/1453